Fixing FTP Passive Mode Errors
When connecting to the FTP server, you may encounter errors such as: "425 Cannot open data connection" or "Could not retrieve directory listing". These errors occur because Passive Mode (PASV) is not enabled in your FTP client.
Why Passive Mode Is Required
Fast2Host servers are behind a firewall. To establish a successful FTP connection, your client must use Passive Mode. Without it, directory listings and file transfers may fail.
Port Requirements
- Port 21: Standard FTP control port (must be open).
- Ports 50000–50004: Required for Passive Mode data connections.
Ensure these ports are open on your firewall or router to allow FTP traffic.
Expected Login Response
During FTP login, if Passive Mode is working correctly, you should see a response similar to:
227 Entering Passive Mode (95,128,129,36,195,x)
Enabling Passive Mode in FTP Clients
Most FTP clients include a setting to enable Passive Mode. For example, in Dreamweaver:
- Go to Site Definition → Remote Info.
- Tick the box: Use Passive FTP.
- Save and reconnect.
In other FTP clients (e.g., FileZilla, WS_FTP, WinSCP), look for a similar option in the connection or transfer settings.