> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Connect via SFTP

> Connect to your FREAKHOSTING game server via SFTP using FileZilla, WinSCP, or the built-in Launch SFTP button for fast and reliable file uploads and management.

## Fast, Reliable File Transfers with SFTP

The built-in File Manager is perfect for quick edits and small uploads, but when you need to transfer an entire modpack, download a full world backup, or manage hundreds of files at once, **SFTP** (SSH File Transfer Protocol) is the way to go.

SFTP works like a direct pipeline between your computer and your game server. It is encrypted, fast, supports resuming interrupted transfers, and can handle files of any size. Think of it as the difference between carrying groceries one bag at a time (File Manager) versus loading up the whole car at once (SFTP).

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## What Is SFTP and Why Use It?

**SFTP** stands for SSH File Transfer Protocol. It is a secure method of transferring files between your local computer and a remote server over an encrypted connection. Every file you send or receive is protected in transit -- nobody can intercept or tamper with your data.

### When to Use SFTP Instead of the File Manager

| Scenario                              | Best Tool    |
| ------------------------------------- | ------------ |
| Quick edit to a config file           | File Manager |
| Upload a single plugin JAR            | File Manager |
| Upload an entire modpack (100+ files) | **SFTP**     |
| Download a full world backup          | **SFTP**     |
| Transfer files larger than 100 MB     | **SFTP**     |
| Manage files across multiple folders  | **SFTP**     |
| Resume an interrupted upload          | **SFTP**     |

**Bottom line:** Use the File Manager for small, quick tasks. Use SFTP when you are moving lots of data or large files.

***

## Finding Your SFTP Credentials

Your SFTP connection details are displayed in two places within the Game Panel: the **Dashboard** page of your server and the **Settings** tab. Both show the same information.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log In to the Game Panel">
    Go to [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com) and log in with your account credentials.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Server">
    Click on the server you want to connect to from the server list.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find the SFTP Details">
    On the server **Dashboard** (or under the **Settings** tab), look for the **SFTP Details** section. You will see:

    * **Server Address:** `sftp://n20.freakhosting.com:2022` (your node and port)
    * **Username:** `freak0705.41298f70` (your account username plus server ID)

    Below the credentials, a note confirms: **"Your SFTP password is the same as the password you use to access this panel."**
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  Your SFTP password is the same password you use to log into the Game Panel at [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com). There is no separate SFTP password to remember.
</Info>

Let us break down what each piece of information means so you know exactly what to enter in your SFTP client:

| Field        | Example Value           | What It Is                                               |
| ------------ | ----------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Host**     | `n20.freakhosting.com`  | The server node your game server runs on                 |
| **Port**     | `2022`                  | The SFTP port (not the default 22)                       |
| **Username** | `freak0705.41298f70`    | Your panel username, a dot, then your server's unique ID |
| **Password** | *(your panel password)* | The same password you log into the Game Panel with       |

<Warning>
  Note the port is **2022**, not the standard SSH port 22. If you leave the port blank or use 22, the connection will fail. Always double-check this field.
</Warning>

***

## Connecting with FileZilla

FileZilla is the most popular free SFTP client. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. If you do not have it yet, download it from [filezilla-project.org](https://filezilla-project.org/).

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open FileZilla">
    Launch FileZilla on your computer. You will see the main window with a **Quickconnect bar** at the top containing four fields: Host, Username, Password, and Port.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Your Connection Details">
    Fill in the Quickconnect bar with your SFTP credentials:

    | Field        | Value                         |
    | ------------ | ----------------------------- |
    | **Host**     | `sftp://n20.freakhosting.com` |
    | **Username** | `freak0705.41298f70`          |
    | **Password** | Your Game Panel password      |
    | **Port**     | `2022`                        |

    You can enter the host as either `sftp://n20.freakhosting.com` (with the protocol prefix) or just `n20.freakhosting.com` -- FileZilla accepts both. If you omit the `sftp://` prefix, FileZilla will auto-detect the protocol based on the port.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Quickconnect">
    Click the **Quickconnect** button. FileZilla attempts to connect to your game server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Accept the Host Key (First Time Only)">
    On your first connection, FileZilla will display a dialog about an **unknown host key**. This is normal -- it is verifying the server's identity. Check **"Always trust this host"** if you want to skip this prompt in the future, then click **OK**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="You Are Connected">
    Once connected, the right side of FileZilla shows your **game server's files** and the left side shows your **local computer's files**. You can now drag and drop files between the two sides to upload or download.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Saving Your Connection in FileZilla

Tired of typing your credentials every time? Save them in the **Site Manager**:

1. Go to **File > Site Manager** (or press `Ctrl + S`).
2. Click **New Site** and give it a name like "FREAKHOSTING - Minecraft."
3. Set **Protocol** to **SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol**.
4. Enter the **Host** (`n20.freakhosting.com`), **Port** (`2022`), **User**, and **Password**.
5. Set **Logon Type** to **Normal**.
6. Click **Connect** to save and connect immediately, or **OK** to save for later.

Next time, just open the Site Manager and double-click your saved server.

***

## Connecting with WinSCP

WinSCP is another popular SFTP client for Windows with a familiar two-panel file explorer interface. Download it from [winscp.net](https://winscp.net/).

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open WinSCP">
    Launch WinSCP. The **Login** dialog appears automatically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Your Connection Details">
    Fill in the login form:

    | Field             | Value                    |
    | ----------------- | ------------------------ |
    | **File protocol** | SFTP                     |
    | **Host name**     | `n20.freakhosting.com`   |
    | **Port number**   | `2022`                   |
    | **User name**     | `freak0705.41298f70`     |
    | **Password**      | Your Game Panel password |
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the Session (Optional)">
    Click **Save** to store the connection for future use. Give it a memorable name like "FREAKHOSTING Game Server." Check **Save password** if you do not want to type it each time (WinSCP encrypts stored passwords).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Login">
    Click **Login** to connect. On the first connection, WinSCP will ask you to verify the server's host key -- click **Yes** to accept.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Transfer Files">
    WinSCP opens a two-panel view: your local files on the left, your server files on the right. Drag files between the panels to upload or download, or use the **Upload** and **Download** buttons in the toolbar.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Using the Launch SFTP Button

The Game Panel includes a convenient **Launch SFTP** button in the SFTP Details section. Clicking this button attempts to open your default SFTP client (FileZilla, WinSCP, or another installed application) and automatically pre-fills the connection details for you.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find the Launch SFTP Button">
    On your server's **Dashboard** or **Settings** tab, look for the **Launch SFTP** button in the SFTP Details section.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click the Button">
    Click **Launch SFTP**. Your operating system will try to open the `sftp://` link with your default SFTP application.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Your Password">
    Your SFTP client opens with the host, port, and username already filled in. You only need to enter your password (the same one you use for the Game Panel) and click Connect.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  For the Launch SFTP button to work, you need an SFTP client installed on your computer that is registered as the handler for `sftp://` links. FileZilla and WinSCP both register themselves during installation. If clicking the button does nothing, manually copy the connection details and connect using the steps above.
</Info>

***

## Practical SFTP Tasks

### Upload an Entire Modpack Folder

<Steps>
  <Step title="Connect via SFTP">
    Open FileZilla or WinSCP and connect to your server using the credentials above.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to the Server Root">
    On the server side (right panel in FileZilla), make sure you are in the root directory of your game server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate Locally to the Modpack">
    On the local side (left panel), browse to the folder on your computer where the modpack files are stored.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Drag and Drop">
    Select all the modpack files and folders on the left, then drag them to the server side on the right. FileZilla queues all the files and transfers them in order. You can see the progress in the transfer queue at the bottom.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart Your Server">
    Once the transfer is complete, go back to the Game Panel and restart your server. The modpack loads on the next boot.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Download a Backup of Your World

<Steps>
  <Step title="Connect via SFTP">
    Open your SFTP client and connect to the server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate the World Folder">
    On the server side, find the world folder -- typically named `world` for Minecraft, or whatever your server's world directory is called.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a Local Destination">
    On the local side, navigate to where you want to save the backup (for example, a `Backups` folder on your desktop).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download the Folder">
    Drag the entire `world` folder from the server side to the local side. Your SFTP client downloads every file and subfolder, preserving the directory structure.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  For large world folders, SFTP's ability to resume interrupted transfers is invaluable. If your internet connection drops mid-transfer, just reconnect and resume -- FileZilla will pick up right where it left off.
</Tip>

***

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Connection timed out or refused">
    The most common causes are:

    * **Wrong port:** Make sure you are using port **2022**, not 22. This is the most frequent mistake.
    * **Wrong host:** Double-check the server address from your SFTP Details section. It should match your server's node (for example, `n20.freakhosting.com`).
    * **Server is offline:** If your game server is stopped, SFTP may not be available. Start the server from the Game Panel first.
    * **Firewall blocking the connection:** Some corporate or school networks block non-standard ports. Try from a different network or ask your network administrator.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Authentication failed or wrong password">
    Remember, your SFTP password is the same as your Game Panel login password. Common fixes:

    * **Check for typos:** Copy-paste the username from the SFTP Details section to avoid mistakes.
    * **Username format:** Make sure you are using the full username including the dot and server ID (for example, `freak0705.41298f70`), not just your panel username.
    * **Recently changed your password?** Use your new Game Panel password -- SFTP credentials update automatically when you change your panel password.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="FileZilla shows 'Could not connect to server'">
    Try these steps in order:

    1. Verify the host, port (2022), username, and password are correct.
    2. In FileZilla, go to **Edit > Settings > Connection > FTP** and make sure **Active mode** is not forced -- SFTP does not use FTP modes.
    3. Try connecting with the protocol prefix: enter the host as `sftp://n20.freakhosting.com`.
    4. Temporarily disable your local firewall or antivirus to test if they are blocking the connection.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Transfers are very slow">
    SFTP transfer speed depends on your internet connection and the server's current load. A few things to try:

    * In FileZilla, go to **Edit > Settings > Transfers** and increase the **Maximum simultaneous transfers** from 2 to 5 or 10. This downloads multiple files in parallel.
    * For very large transfers, compress the files into a single archive first, upload the archive, then extract it on the server using the File Manager.
    * If you are on WiFi, try a wired Ethernet connection for more stable speeds.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The Launch SFTP button does nothing">
    Your computer needs an SFTP client installed that handles `sftp://` links. Install FileZilla or WinSCP, and during installation, make sure the option to register as the default SFTP handler is checked. If the client is already installed but the button still does not work, manually copy the connection details and connect from within your SFTP client.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<Note>
  ### Need Extra Help?

  If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

  * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
  * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div align="center">
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Game Panel Support:** SFTP file transfers simplified.
</div>