Check whether FTP port 21 is blocked

What is a port?

A port is like a numbered door on a computer. Each service uses its own door. FTP uses door number 21. If a firewall closes that door, FTP programs cannot connect. A firewall is a security guard that allows or blocks traffic. It can sit on your computer, your router, your office network or the server.

Signs that port 21 is blocked

• Your FTP program says "Connection timed out".
• It says "Could not connect to server".
• It never even asks for your password.

A wrong password shows a different message. That means the door is open.

Test on Windows

1. Press the Windows key and type PowerShell. Open it.
2. Type this command. Replace the host with your domain name or the server address from your welcome email.

Test-NetConnection yourdomain.com -Port 21

This asks Windows to knock on port 21. Look for TcpTestSucceeded : True. That means the door is open. False means it is blocked.

Test on Mac or Linux

1. Open Terminal.
2. Type this command:

nc -zv yourdomain.com 21

This tries to connect to port 21. A message with the word "succeeded" or "open" means it works.

If it is blocked

1. Try a different network, such as your phone's hotspot. If it works there, your home or office network blocks it.
2. Turn off your computer firewall for a minute to test. Turn it on again afterwards.
3. Ask your internet provider or office IT person to open port 21.
4. Use SFTP instead. It uses port 22 and is safer. Ask Hostvento support whether SFTP is on your plan.
5. Your own IP address may be blocked by the server after many wrong logins. Open a support ticket with your public IP address.

Quick recap

• Port 21 is the door FTP uses.
• Use PowerShell or Terminal to test it.
• A timeout often means a firewall blocks it.
• Try another network or SFTP.
• Ask support if your IP is blocked.