# How to upload files with FileZilla and configure FileZilla settings

> Canonical: https://jethost.com/kb/how-to-upload-files-with-filezilla-and-configure-filezilla-settings/ · Last modified: 2026-08-20T06:49:24+00:00

FileZilla is a free FTP client for uploading and managing your website files on JetHost. This guide shows you how to connect, upload files, and adjust the settings that help avoid connection errors and slow transfers. The steps work on [Windows](https://jethost.com/kb/how-to-install-filezilla-on-a-windows-computer/), Mac, and [Linux](https://jethost.com/kb/how-to-install-filezilla-on-linux/) - FileZilla's interface is the same on all platforms.

## Step 1: Connect to your JetHost account

### **Option A – Quick Connect**

- Open FileZilla.
- In the Quick Connect bar at the top, enter: **Host:** your domain (e.g. `yourdomain.com`), **Username:** your cPanel username, **Password:** your cPanel password, **Port:** `21` for FTP or `1022` for SFTP.
- Click **Quickconnect**.

![FileZilla quick connect](https://jethost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/FileZillaLoginScreen.jpg)### **Option B – Site Manager (save your connection)**

- Go to **File** → **Site Manager**.
- Click **New Site** and give it a name (e.g. "JetHost").
- Enter **Host:** your domain, **Port:** 21 (FTP) or 1022 (SFTP), **Protocol:** FTP or SFTP.
- Set **Encryption:** "Use explicit FTP over TLS if available" (for FTP).
- Set **Logon Type:** Normal. Enter **User** and **Password**.
- Click **Connect**. Accept the server certificate if prompted.

![FileZilla Site Manager](https://jethost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/filezilla-ftp-site-manager.png)For full connection details, see [How to connect your JetHost account via FTP](https://jethost.com/kb/how-to-connect-your-jethost-account-via-ftp/).

## Step 2: Open the correct folders

Website files go in the `public_html` folder. That is your domain's document root.

- On the **left** (Local site): open the folder on your computer that contains the files you want to upload.
- On the **right** (Remote site): navigate to `public_html` (or the subfolder where you want the files).
- If you don't see the folder trees, go to **View** → enable **Local tree** and **Remote tree**.

![FileZilla connected browse remote folder](https://jethost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/filezilla-browse-remote-folder.png)## Step 3: Upload files

- On the left, select the file(s) or folder(s) you want to upload.
- **Right-click** → **Upload**, or drag and drop them to the right panel.
- Watch the transfer progress at the bottom of the window.
- To download: select files on the right, right-click → **Download**, or drag to the left.

## FileZilla settings

### Passive mode (recommended)

If you have connection issues, enable passive mode:

- **Edit** → **Settings** → **FTP**.
- Select **Passive**.
- Click **OK**.

![FileZilla activate passive mode](https://jethost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/filezilla-activate-passive-mode.png)### Simultaneous transfers

Limit how many files transfer at once so your site stays responsive. We recommend 5 or fewer:

- **Edit** → **Settings** → **Transfers**.
- Set **Maximum simultaneous transfers** to `8` (or less).
- Click **OK**.

![Simultaneous transfers in FileZilla](https://jethost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/filezilla-concurent-transfers.png)### Save passwords (Site Manager)

If FileZilla won't save your password in Site Manager:

- **Edit** → **Settings** → **Interface**.
- Enable **Save passwords**.
- Click **OK**.

![FileZilla save passwords](https://jethost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/filezilla-save-passwords.png)### Change file permissions

- Right-click a file or folder on the **right** (remote) side.
- Choose **File permissions**.
- Set numeric value or checkboxes. Common: `644` for files, `755` for folders.
- For folders, you can apply changes recursively to all contents.

![FileZilla change permissions](https://jethost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/filezilla-change-permissions.png)And then you can select and change permissions:

![FileZilla change permissions](https://jethost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/filezilla-change-permissions-2.png)### Show or hide hidden files

- **View** → **Directory listing filters**.
- Under **Remote filters**, the **Configuration files** option controls hidden (.dot) files.
- Enable it to hide them; disable to show them.

![FileZilla directory listing filters](https://jethost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/filezilla-directory-listing-filters.png)### Change FileZilla theme

- **Edit** → **Settings**.
- In the Settings window, go to **Interface → Themes**.
- Choose a theme from the dropdown and click OK.
- The Default theme is a good option if you prefer a clearer look.

![FileZilla change theme](https://jethost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/filezilla-change-theme.png)## Troubleshooting

**File transfer failed:** Enable passive mode. Reduce simultaneous transfers to 1–2. Increase timeout: Edit → Settings → Connection → set timeout to 60–120 seconds. Try SFTP (port 1022) instead of FTP. Check that your firewall or antivirus is not blocking FileZilla.

**Slow upload or download:** Lower simultaneous transfers to 3–5. Ensure your network is not busy with other downloads or streaming. Large batches of files can take time due to server limits.

**Too many files:** FTP can list up to 2000 files per directory. Organize into subfolders or use cPanel File Manager for very large directories.

## Need more help?

See [How to install FileZilla on Windows](https://jethost.com/kb/how-to-install-filezilla-on-a-windows-computer/) and [How to connect via FTP](https://jethost.com/kb/how-to-connect-your-jethost-account-via-ftp/). Contact our [support team](https://jethost.com/contact-us/) for assistance. JetHost [web hosting](https://jethost.com/web-hosting/) includes FTP and SFTP access on all plans.