When making changes in WordPress, you may face issues like WordPress asking for FTP credentials to upload assets, manage Themes, or rename WordPress directories.

In this case – you have no option but to provide WordPress credentials to proceed.

Let’s learn how to track WordPress credentials and fix WordPress issues regarding FTP credentials. You will also know what FTP credentials are in WordPress.

In most cases, WordPress doesn’t require FTP credentials for plugin installations, Theme updating, or managing WordPress assets.

Let’s proceed to address more details without further ado.

What are FTP Credentials?

FTP – File Transfer Protocol – is the web’s protocol to transfer files between computers over a network – such as the Internet.

While managing a WordPress site, FTP credentials or login information, help you upload, download, or change the files stored on the server directly from your computer’s desktop.

In this case – FTP credentials help users manage the website’s files without logging into Hosting cPanel – File Manager area.

Introduction to WordPress FTP Credentials

In WordPress – we shouldn’t take a technical approach to understanding FTP credentials. Instead, looking for Hosting cPanel’s FTP credentials gets our job done.

In this case – you can log into the hosting cPanel of WordPress and find – if you’ve created an FTP account. You can find FTP accounts under the Hosting area in cPanel options.

To get started – you’ll need access to the Hosting account, where WordPress is hosted and installed for your website – such as Namecheap, Bluehost, or Siteground.

Note: To this line – you should’ve understood, there is no difference between FTP credentials present in Hosting cPanel and WordPress FTP credentials. To deal with WordPress credentials – you should find and use credentials in the Hosting cPanel area – as described above.

Let’s address more details about WordPress FTP credentials.

For some reason, if your WordPress site’s wp-config.php file is missing relevant, required code snippets, WordPress can ask for FTP credentials if you’re trying to install a plugin or update a Theme.

In this case – you may experience such scenarios when installing WordPress on a local computer, such as localhost, for development purposes.

Other reasons include improper permissions on the server’s directories. For example – upon installing a WordPress plugin, WordPress may ask for FTP credentials as – WordPress lacks proper write permissions on server directories.

WordPress asking for FTP Credentials

When installing a Theme or Plugin in WordPress, if you see an error regarding FTP credentials, here is how you can deal with such scenarios.

In this case, you can start altering WordPress core configuration file – wp-config.php.

Here – if you have access to the Hosting -> cPanel -> File Manager, you can proceed with logging into hosting cPanel’s web version. Using a site’s file manager’s web version, you can use the interface’s Edit option to edit the wp-config.php file.

On the other hand – you will need to use an FTP client to access your Hosting cPanel -> File Manager, such as File Zilla. In this case, you will use File Zilla’s download option to make changes to the wp-config.php file.

Let’s proceed and make changes to the wp-config.php file.

Once you’re ready to make changes, placing the following code helps you fix WordPress FTP credentials issues.

define(‘FS_METHOD’,’direct’);

After you have saved the changes, you can check and see if the problem has been fixed in WordPress. Probably, you can repeat installing the plugin that gives FTP errors, or initiating WordPress update may help.

Placing the above code snippet helps admins set WordPress correctly and skip the error regarding FTP credentials for specific actions, such as WordPress updates.

Let’s address more details on how to fix WordPress – asking for FTP credentials

If for example – the above routine doesn’t work for you, you need to take a different approach to fix WordPress showing an FTP credentials error.

In this case, you may need to create an FTP account in hosting cPanel and place it inside the wp-config.php file. Of course, you can make changes in the specific file using cPanel’s web version or by using the desktop client, such as File Zilla – as mentioned above.

In this case – once you have created an FTP account, you can proceed to the next step.

Now – as you have learned how to access and open the wp-config.php file in WordPress, place the following code snippet in the file.

define(‘FTP_USER’, ‘USERNAME’);

define(‘FTP_PASS’, ‘PASSWORD’);

define(‘FTP_HOST’, ‘FTP.EXAMPLE.COM’);

Note: In this case, you will need to make changes in the code snippet above and replace the FTP username, password, and FTP URL.

If, for example – you need assistance regarding the process, you can ask your hosting support representatives for help.

After you have made changes, you can repeat the process that gave an FTP error. If successful, WordPress will skip prompting you for FTP credentials and proceed automatically.

Note: If the first method doesn’t work, you can proceed to apply the second. If, for example, none of the ways helped you, you can ask for developer’s assistance in WordPress or see WordPress’ official forums for advice.

Note 2: You can also change file permissions in WordPress if the above routines couldn’t help you fix the particular issue in WordPress. For more information on how to change file permissions in WordPress, refer to this detailed write-up. In this case – like changing the content of the wp-config.php file, you can also change file permissions using the Hosting cPanel’s web version.

Professional Tips

• You don’t need to change WordPress configuration files for FTP – if you’re not facing issues updating WordPress infrastructure.
• If possible – take a backup of the wp-config.php file before you are ready to make changes. Better – if you can take back up for the entire WordPress website. In this case, you should use a backup plugin, like Up Draft Plus for WordPress.
• In the second method above, you will need to create an FTP account before you are ready to make changes to the wp-config.php file in WordPress root directory under Public_HTML in the Hosting cPanel.
• If the problem occurs right after installing WordPress for the first time, you can proceed and reinstall WordPress with a different rule-set. For example – instead of using cPanel’s automated installers for WordPress, install WordPress manually and see if the problem has been solved.

Wrapping up

FTP credentials in WordPress help admins manage WordPress files with FTP clients, such as File Zilla for Windows.

However – if WordPress is asking for FTP credentials while you are updating WordPress or managing assets, you need to go through possible ways to fix such issues in WordPress – as described above.

Remember – if you lack Technical expertise to update WordPress core files, such as wp-config.php – making changes may result in WordPress damage. Better – if you hire WordPress support professionals for WordPress core changes.

For more information on WordPress maintenance, one-Time fixing, or fixing WordPress errors, let us know your thoughts regarding our services, support plans, or monthly deals for WordPress performance and SEO.