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When making changes in the WordPress dashboard, you may encounter issues such as WordPress asking for FTP credentials to upload assets, manage Themes, or rename WordPress directories.
In this case, you cannot provide WordPress credentials to proceed.
Let’s learn how to track WordPress credentials and fix WordPress issues regarding FTP credentials. You will also learn what FTP and SFTP 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 for transferring 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 the Hosting cPanel File Manager area.
Introduction to WordPress FTP Credentials
We shouldn’t take a technical approach to understanding FTP credentials in WordPress. Instead, looking for Hosting cPanel’s FTP credentials gets our job done.
In this case, you can log into WordPress’s hosting cPanel and find out if you’ve created an FTP account. You can find FTP accounts under the Hosting area in the 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 that 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 is asking for FTP Credentials
If you see an error regarding FTP credentials when installing a theme or plugin in WordPress, here is how to deal with such scenarios.
In this case, you can start altering the WordPress core configuration file – wp-config.php.
If you can access Hosting -> cPanel (control panel) -> File Manager, you can log in to 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, such as FileZilla, to access your hosting cPanel -> File Manager. In this case, you will use File Zilla’s download option to change the wp-config.php file.
The final option would be to connect via SSH.
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 saving the changes, you can check if WordPress has fixed the problem. You can probably repeat installing the plugin that gives FTP errors, or initiating a 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
For example, if the above routine doesn’t work for you, you need to take a different approach to fix WordPress’s 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, as mentioned above, you can make changes in the specific file using cPanel’s web version or the desktop client, such as File Zilla.
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 must modify the code snippet above and replace the FTP username, password, and FTP URL.
If, for example, you need assistance with 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: You can apply the second if the first method doesn’t work. If, for example, none of the ways helped you, you can ask for a 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, backup the wp-config.php file before you make changes. Better yet, back up the entire WordPress website. In this case, use a backup plugin, like Up Draft Plus for WordPress.
- In the second method above, you must create an FTP account before changing the wp-config.php file in the 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 FileZilla 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 the Technical expertise to update WordPress core files, such as wp-config.php, making changes may damage your WordPress installation. It’s recommended that WordPress support professionals be hired to work on 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.
