{"id":6676,"date":"2019-10-18T05:32:07","date_gmt":"2019-10-18T05:32:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.milesweb.co.uk\/hosting-faqs\/?p=6676"},"modified":"2024-04-23T12:40:15","modified_gmt":"2024-04-23T11:40:15","slug":"learn-to-fix-failed-to-retrieve-directory-listing-error-in-filezilla-ftp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.milesweb.co.uk\/hosting-faqs\/learn-to-fix-failed-to-retrieve-directory-listing-error-in-filezilla-ftp\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Fix Failed to Retrieve Directory Listing Error in FileZilla FTP?"},"content":{"rendered":"

While using FileZilla for connecting to your FTP you might get an error as below:<\/p>\n

Status: Resolving address of ftp.website.com\nStatus: Connecting to 11.22.33.44:21...\nStatus: Connection established, waiting for welcome message...\nStatus: Initializing TLS...\nStatus: Verifying certificate...\nStatus: TLS connection established.\nStatus: Server does not support non-ASCII characters.\nStatus: Connected\nStatus: Retrieving directory listing...\nCommand: PWD\nResponse: 257 \"\/\" is your current location\nCommand: TYPE I\nResponse: 200 TYPE is now 8-bit binary\nCommand: PASV\nResponse: 227 Entering Passive Mode (11,22,33,44,167,111)\nCommand: MLSD\nError: Connection timed out\nError: Failed to retrieve directory listing<\/pre>\n
There can be different reasons for this error to occur and also different solutions for it.<\/p>\n
This error can be easily fixed by going into the Site Manager and using plain FTP by adjusting your connection details.<\/p>\n
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Note:<\/strong> You will have to open Passive Ports in your FTP’s server configuration file and firewall too.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
1. Wrong Encryption Settings in FTP Client<\/h3>\n
For example, while using FileZilla, when you connect to FTP server you might get an error as below:<\/p>\n
Response: 227 Entering Passive Mode (11,22,33,44,167,111)\nCommand: MLSD\nError: Connection timed out\nError: Failed to retrieve directory listing<\/pre>\n
This error occurs when encryption is set to \u201cUse explicit FTP over TLS if available\u201d<\/strong> in FTP client settings.<\/p>\n
Check the steps below to fix the problem:<\/strong><\/p>\n
1. Go to FileZilla<\/strong>, click on \u201cFile\u201d<\/strong> menu and select \u201cSite Manager\u201d<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
2. If the site or server you want to connect to isn’t already mentioned in site manager, add it.<\/p>\n
a. Add hostname.
\nb. Make the Encryption<\/strong> to \u201cOnly use plain FTP\u201d.<\/strong>
\nc. Change logon type to “Normal”.<\/strong>
\nd. Enter username<\/strong>\/password<\/strong>.
\ne. Ok<\/strong>\/Connect<\/strong> to continue.<\/p>\n
In case you are still getting the error, disable your firewall then try once more!<\/p>\n
2. Problem with Passive mode<\/h3>\n
FTP works in both active and passive mode. FTP clients like FileZilla, CuteFTP, etc. use passive mode for transfer. But sometimes you may get an error such as “FTP can’t retrieve directory listing”<\/strong> in passive mode, then follow the below steps to resolve the error:<\/p>\n