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How to Fix the Connection Timeout Error in FileZilla

This guide helps when FileZilla says "Connection timed out" and cannot reach your hosting account.

Files and FTP2 min read7 steps5 screenshots

What does this error mean?

FileZilla is a free program that moves files between your computer and your website. It uses FTP, short for File Transfer Protocol. FTP is a set of rules for sending files over the internet.

A timeout means FileZilla called the server and nobody answered in time. It is like ringing a doorbell and waiting, but nobody opens the door.

You may see messages like these:

Error: Connection timed out after 20 seconds of inactivity
Error: Could not connect to server

Common causes

  • A wrong host name, user name, password or port.
  • Your firewall or antivirus blocks FileZilla. A firewall is a guard that decides which connections may pass.
  • Your home internet or office network blocks FTP.
  • The server's firewall blocked your IP address after several wrong logins. An IP address is the number that identifies your connection on the internet.
  • The wrong connection mode (active instead of passive).

Steps to fix it

  1. Check your details. Open File, then Site Manager. Compare the host, user name and password with your Hostvento welcome email or the FTP account in your hosting panel.
  2. Use port 21 for normal FTP, unless your welcome email says another number.
  3. Switch to passive mode. Go to Edit, then Settings, then Connection, then FTP. Choose Passive (recommended). Click OK.
    Screenshot: Switch to passive mode. Go to Edit , then Settings , then Connection , then FTP . Choose P
  4. Raise the timeout. In Settings, open Connection. Change Timeout in seconds to 60. Click OK.
    Screenshot: Raise the timeout. In Settings , open Connection . Change Timeout in seconds to 60 . Click
  5. Turn off your antivirus or firewall for a minute to test. If it works, add FileZilla to the allowed programs. Then turn protection back on.
  6. Try another network, such as your phone's hotspot. If it works, your first network blocks FTP.
    Screenshot: Try another network, such as your phone's hotspot. If it works, your first network blocks
  7. Try again.
Tip: If you tried many wrong passwords, the server may have blocked your IP address for a while. Ask Hostvento support to check this. Include your public IP address, which you can find by searching "what is my IP" in a browser.

Still timing out?

Try the Transfer settings tab in the Site Manager and limit the number of connections to 1. Some servers allow only a few at once.

Screenshot: Try the Transfer settings tab in the Site Manager and limit the number of connections to 1

If nothing helps, open a support ticket. Add the full FileZilla log from the top window. It helps support find the cause faster. Remove your password from the log before you send it.

Quick recap

  • A timeout means the server did not answer in time.
  • Check host, user name, password and port first.
    Screenshot: Check host, user name, password and port first.
  • Use passive mode and a longer timeout.
  • Test your firewall, antivirus and network.
  • Ask support if your IP address may be blocked.