How to use FTP to upload files to WordPress for Beginners

How to use FTP to upload files to WordPress for Beginners

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a fast and simple way to transfer files from one computer to another over the internet. In this video, we will show you how to use FTP to upload a plugin in WordPress as well as how to change file permissions using FTP.

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Summary of this Tutorial:

FTP sounds scary for beginners, but it isn’t. It’s very easy to learn and it’s something you must know.

FTP allows you to upload plugins and delete plugins even when you’re not able to login to your WordPress dashboard.

FileZilla is the best free FTP program that works across the board.

In this video, we will show you how to use FTP to upload a plugin to WordPress.

We will also cover how to change file permissions (CHMOD permissions) using FTP.

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29 Comments

  1. Richard McLaughlin on April 6, 2014 at 1:52 pm

    you make it easy

    • WPBeginner - WordPress Tutorials on May 16, 2014 at 11:07 am

      Thanks Richard 🙂

  2. David Roseberry on May 5, 2014 at 1:15 pm

    Very helpful! Thank you!

    For anyone wondering, /wp-content is nested under /public_html. 

  3. Ailis Mullins on September 1, 2014 at 9:26 am

    Thank you so much! Phew all sorted. What a mess. 

  4. Krysta Belliston on December 7, 2014 at 4:10 am

    Simple and to the point. Did not think of this as a way to back up the website. (I’m new to this).

  5. MrKeksit on May 19, 2015 at 1:14 pm

    does not even explain how to acess to wordpress through ftp

    • Md Riaz uddin on November 16, 2018 at 5:12 pm

      Yes I am also asking please explain first to last

  6. stevedcl5 on July 1, 2015 at 11:16 am

    Hello when i’m triyng to connect in filezilla it says impossible to establish a connection to the server ! How do I do ? I’m in internship an I’m affraid I mess up the website.. help me !

    • WPBeginner - WordPress Tutorials on July 3, 2015 at 2:36 pm

      @stevedcl5 You would want to ensure your firewall is not blocking filezilla as well as check out:

      https://forum.filezilla-project.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=34860

    • stevedcl5 on July 3, 2015 at 2:51 pm

      Thanks I solve my problem ! Good tutorial by the way !!!

    • reneeluvJYJ on October 28, 2015 at 2:58 pm

      +stevedcl5 I am having this problem now. I was so scared I will break the website. Filezilla seems like already connected to the server but i coudn’t find the wp-content on the right side there is nothing in the list. could you please help me?

  7. Alex Gaboury on July 24, 2015 at 1:24 am

    Wow! Thank you so much. This tutorial is exactly what I was looking for.

  8. Lord Kenny on August 13, 2015 at 6:08 am

    It keeps kicking me out.

  9. John S. Edwards on December 16, 2015 at 4:52 pm

    Love your videos. Keep it up!

  10. Christine Strong on May 18, 2016 at 7:01 pm

    Way too fast.

  11. Loretta T. on June 9, 2016 at 4:54 pm

    Thank you! I made a change to my functions.php and locked myself out of my site–you got me up and running again! Thank you millions!

  12. Travel Devoted on June 22, 2016 at 2:50 am

    Thank you! I know this wasn’t the ultimate how-to but it really made me feel more confident that I can learn this!

  13. Michael Brown on July 13, 2016 at 12:50 pm

    How does one keep image files on wordpress for download with an “Accept” or “Decline” conditions of use button?

  14. Ahmed Hida on July 24, 2016 at 12:56 pm

    how can i contact you ??? , i need a help

    • WPBeginner - WordPress Tutorials on July 26, 2016 at 2:51 pm

      we have a contact link on the top of our site: http://www.wpbeginner.com/

    • Future Trunks on August 8, 2016 at 2:38 am

      Can i upload a website on ftp if already i did my website on computer?If yes,how?

  15. Matthew Lee on October 13, 2016 at 12:36 pm

    The video is very well presented. Thanks a lot!

  16. Greg Dionne on January 7, 2017 at 9:12 pm

    Quick tip for anyone that might be new to FTP clients (like I was prior to this), make sure you refresh in the FTP program after you edit the file. I’m an idiot and didn’t notice that I was uploading the same file each time. Check the Last Modified time to make sure its the correct one.

  17. CMontgomeryCat on October 21, 2017 at 1:56 am

    THANK YOU for getting straight to the point without 5 minutes of nonsense, much appreciated!!

  18. Jehoshaphat Ojeah on November 3, 2017 at 1:29 pm

    I just installed FileZilla, there’s nothing like those folders u mentioned, how did the folders get there? this tutorial didn’t teach me anything

    • WPBeginner - WordPress Tutorials on November 3, 2017 at 4:01 pm

      1:05 if you reach out to your host’s support they should be able to help you connect your FTP to your files to see the folders. If you see different folders you may want to check for a www folder

    • Jehoshaphat Ojeah on November 3, 2017 at 4:07 pm

      sorry, didn’t mean to rude, thank you for your message, will watch this again!

  19. Jiten Smr on December 29, 2018 at 5:10 pm

    thnxcc

    • WPBeginner - WordPress Tutorials on December 31, 2018 at 4:59 pm

      Glad you liked our video 🙂

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