How to Resolve FTP IP Blocking

In short: when FileZilla uploads files it opens many connections at once. The server's security software reads that as an attack and blocks your IP address. Set FileZilla to one connection at a time and active transfer mode, and the blocking stops.

Why your IP gets blocked

By default FileZilla transfers several files in parallel, and each transfer is a new connection to the server. Tens of connections from one address in a few seconds look exactly like a brute-force or flood attempt, so the firewall (cPHulk, Imunify360 or CSF on most hosting servers) blocks the address for a while. Your site keeps working for visitors, but FTP, and sometimes the whole server, stops answering from your office.

Fix the FileZilla settings

1. Open FileZilla and go to Edit → Settings.
2. Under Connection → FTP, set the transfer mode to Active (passive is selected by default).
3. Under Transfers, set Maximum simultaneous transfers, concurrent downloads and concurrent uploads all to 1.
4. Click OK, close FileZilla and open it again so the settings take effect.

Transfers will be slower for many small files, but the server never sees a burst of connections and the address is no longer blocked. If you need parallel uploads, compress the folder into a ZIP first, upload the single archive and extract it in cPanel's File Manager.

If you are already blocked

Most blocks expire automatically after 15–60 minutes. If you need access sooner, open a support ticket with your public IP address (you can see it on our what is my IP page) and we remove the block.

Alternatives

WinSCP transfers files one by one and does not trigger the block. On a Fiberserver hosting account you can also skip FTP entirely: cPanel's File Manager uploads files through the browser, and SFTP over SSH is available on VDS and dedicated servers.