How to access and upload WordPress configuration files to FTP hosting

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Do you want to access WordPress configuration files and you don't know? You are in the right place. You can make changes to your website using FTP.

What is FTP

Le protocol FTP or File Transfer Protocol is used to remotely manage WordPress files on a server . It is used for security and compatibility reasons. You will be able to access files from another computer regardless of what type of operating system it has.

Accessing files via FTP can be useful for manage files of a WordPress website and resolve any errors. It is accessible via a client application such as Filezilla or via the web (WebFTP), which is generally an access granted by the company where the site is hosted.

Why should I use FTP

WordPress has a section called Media for uploading or deleting files and it works great, but it can be limiting. If you want bulk download files, the most practical thing to do is to use FTP, as there is less chance of errors.

You should also consider that in case of not being able to directly access WordPress due to an error, this can be solved by directly managing the files on the web. The use that is generally given to FTP in WordPress is:

Install a theme WordPress
Update a WordPress theme
Solve the problems that can occur in WordPress, such as access errors.
Install or update a plugin

How to use FTP to configure WordPress

The main thing before you start is to have a client application to access the files. You can use Web FTP or a desktop program. In this case, we will use Filezilla because it is OpenSource, very efficient and compatible with most operating systems.

Access data

After downloading and installing Filezilla, it will be necessary to obtain the access data to connect to the server. This can be obtained at from Cpanel (control panel) where the website is hosted.

If you don't know where the CPanel is located, you can find it from your user account on the hosting page. In your product list, you should find the direct link to access.

Once inside the CPanel, click on the icon of the FTP account and check the access data to connect. If you cannot find the access data, you can always create a new FTP account, just save the following data:

Server: This is usually a name assigned by the hosting or the domain name.
Username: name of the user authorized to connect by FTP.
Password: password to access the FTP user.
Port: port number typically used for FTP connections, typically 21.

Access Filezilla manually

Open the application Filezilla
If you are logging in for the first time, you can place the access data in the quick connection bar.
Enter the access data to connect via FTP.
Once the connection is established, you can view server files in the right pane of the application. The first folder displayed in the one you mapped when creating the FTP user or root folder.
Choose the folder you want to configure on the server, download or delete a file.
In the left panel of the application are local files, that is, the files on your PC. Select the file that you want to upload to the page directory. You can choose multiple files simultaneously.

Access by Filezilla automatically

Depending on the hosting service you use, you can download a file for automatic configuration of the FTP client. If the file is compatible with the application, you can automatically connect to the application.

Open Filezilla and open the menu File
Click the option Import
In the file explorer window, choose file from automatic configuration. The file extension is .xml
Push the button OK to start the configuration, connect to the server and navigate to the files.