How to Manage Your Minecraft Server Files with SFTP

SFTP allows you to securely manage the files and folders of your Minecraft server from your own computer. This is particularly useful when uploading or downloading many files or large files. This guide explains how to create an SFTP password, connect with FileZilla, and upload, download, edit or delete files.

Creating SFTP Credentials

1. Log in to the game panel and go to your Minecraft server.
2. Stop the Minecraft server if it is still running.
3. Open the Settings page.
4. Find the SFTP Details section and click Create SFTP Password.
5. Copy the Server Address, Username and SFTP Password. You will need these details in the following steps.

Note The SFTP password is only displayed once. Never share this password with anyone else. Do you want to give someone access? Add that person as a subuser instead.

Connecting Through FileZilla

If you have not installed FileZilla Client yet, first follow our guide on installing FileZilla.

1. Open FileZilla Client on your computer.
2. Enter the following details at the top of the window:

3. Click Quickconnect.
4. Are you connecting for the first time? Accept the host key in FileZilla and click OK.
5. Once connected, the files on your Minecraft server appear on the right side of FileZilla.

Tip Your Minecraft server does not need to be running to connect through SFTP. Leave the server stopped until you have completed all changes.

Downloading Files

The files on your computer are displayed on the left side of FileZilla. The files on your Minecraft server are displayed on the right.

1. On the left, open the folder in which you want to save the files.
2. On the right, select the files or folders you want to download.
3. Right-click the selection and select Download.
4. Wait until the transfer shown at the bottom of FileZilla has been completed.

Uploading Files

1. On the right, open the folder on your Minecraft server to which you want to upload the files.
2. On the left, locate the files or folders on your computer.
3. Select the files or folders, right-click the selection and select Upload.
4. Does FileZilla ask whether it may overwrite existing files? Check the filenames and only confirm if you want to replace the existing files.
5. Wait until the transfer shown at the bottom of FileZilla has been completed before starting the Minecraft server.

Editing, Renaming or Deleting Files

Right-click a file or folder on the right side of FileZilla. Depending on your selection, you can perform the following actions:

• Select View/Edit to open a text file on your computer. Save your changes and then confirm in FileZilla that the modified file should be uploaded again.
• Select Rename to change the name of a file or folder.
• Select Create directory to create a new folder on the Minecraft server.
• Select Delete to remove a file or folder from the Minecraft server.

Note Deleted or overwritten files cannot be recovered through FileZilla. Create a backup first if you may need the files again.

Rotating the SFTP Password

Have you forgotten the SFTP password or do you suspect someone else has access to it? Create a new password.

1. Open the Settings page in the game panel.
2. Under SFTP Details, click Rotate SFTP Password.
3. Copy and store the new password before leaving the page.
4. Use the new password in FileZilla from now on.

FileZilla Cannot Connect

If the connection fails, check the following:

1. Copy the complete Server Address and Username from the game panel again. Make sure no extra spaces are included.
2. Make sure the server address starts with sftp:// and ends with port :2022.
3. Are you seeing an authentication error? Rotate the SFTP password and try connecting again with the new password.
4. Make sure your firewall, antivirus software or network is not blocking connections through port 2022. This port may be unavailable on some public networks. If so, try a different network.
5. Check the ConsulHosting status page for an ongoing outage.