FileZilla Directory Listing Failed: Causes and Fixes

In short: FileZilla reports "Failed to retrieve directory listing" when the login succeeds but the data connection cannot be established. The cause is almost always the transfer mode (passive/active), a firewall or the encryption setting. Check them in the order below.

What the error means

FTP uses two connections: a control connection for commands and a data connection for file and directory listings. Your username and password are checked on the control connection. Seeing "Logged in" followed immediately by "Failed to retrieve directory listing" means the data connection is being stopped by a firewall, NAT or a wrong port.

1. Switch the transfer mode

In Edit → Settings → Connection → FTP, change the transfer mode from Passive to Active, or from Active to Passive. Behind a home or office router passive mode usually works; some server firewalls close the passive port range, in which case active mode is needed.

2. Set simultaneous transfers to 1

Under Settings → Transfers, set maximum simultaneous transfers, concurrent downloads and concurrent uploads to 1. Many connections opened at once look like an attack to the server and get your IP blocked; see resolving FTP IP blocking.

3. Check encryption and port

In the Site Manager the protocol should be FTP with encryption "Use explicit FTP over TLS if available". SFTP is a different protocol (it runs over SSH on port 22) and is only available on VDS and dedicated servers or accounts with SSH access; on shared hosting use FTP or FTPS. Leave the port field empty (21).

4. Local firewall and antivirus

Windows Firewall or an antivirus product may be blocking FileZilla's data connection. Disable it briefly to test; if that works, add an exception for FileZilla. On a company network you may need to ask the network administrator to allow the FTP data ports.

5. Read the message log

The log at the top of the FileZilla window shows the exact error: "Connection timed out" is a timeout, "425 Can't open data connection" is the data connection, "530" is a username or password problem. When you open a support ticket, paste these lines with the password removed; it shortens the fix.

Still not working?

Upload through cPanel's File Manager in the browser, or try WinSCP, which opens connections one at a time. If the problem persists, open a ticket with your IP address; we lift any server-side block and test the connection with you.