How to create an FTP Account in cPanel?

Open cPanel, go to Files, then FTP Accounts. Enter the new user’s Log In, choose the Domain, set a Password, set the Directory and Quota, then click Create FTP Account. The Directory you choose is the highest folder that user can reach, and you cannot change it later in cPanel.

Before you start

• Log in to the Hostworld Client Area at portal.hostworld.uk. If you cannot, click Forgotten Password and complete the email verification before setting a new password.
• Decide exactly which folder the user should be limited to. Your site’s web root is public_html.
• If you plan to connect with FTPS, use the server’s hostname as the FTP server name. FTPS does not support SNI with your domain.

Step 1: Log in to cPanel from your Hostworld Client Area

1. Go to https://portal.hostworld.uk and sign in.
2. Click Services, then My Services, then your hosting service.
3. Use the Single Sign-On link to open cPanel without re-entering credentials.

Step 2: Create the FTP user in cPanel

1. In cPanel, open Files, then FTP Accounts.
2. Under Add FTP Account, fill in:
   • Log In: the username part. cPanel will show the full format it will use, often [email protected].
   • Domain: pick the correct domain if you host more than one.
   • Password: enter a strong password or use Password Generator.
   • Directory: this is the uppermost path the user can access. cPanel auto-fills something like public_html/domain.tld/account. Change it if needed. They cannot use symlinks to escape this folder.
   • Quota: set a limit or choose Unlimited. If the server runs ProFTPD, quotas do not apply.
3. Click Create FTP Account.

Note: Upload web-visible content into public_html or a subfolder under it. Files outside public_html will not load on your site.

Step 3: Configure and test your FTP client

1. In cPanel’s FTP Accounts page, find the account you made and click Configure FTP Client to download a ready-made profile for supported clients, or configure manually:
   • Protocol: FTP. For encryption, use Explicit FTP over TLS if available.
   • Server: for plain FTP use your domain or the server IP. For FTPS use the server’s hostname.
   • Username: exactly as shown in cPanel, often [email protected].
   • Password: the FTP user’s password.
   • Port: 21.
   • Transfer mode: Passive.
2. Connect and try listing the target folder, then upload a small test file.

Step 4: Undo or correct an FTP account safely

1. In cPanel’s FTP Accounts list, find the user and click Delete.
2. Select Delete Account to remove the login only. Do not choose Delete Account and Files unless you are certain the home directory does not contain site data. That option can delete public_html and take your site offline.
3. Recreate the account with the correct Directory if you need to change its path.

If it does not work

• Login fails or certificate errors: Do not use SFTP with an FTP user. If you need SFTP, it uses SSH and the main cPanel account when SSH is enabled. For FTPS, set the server to the server’s hostname. For plain FTP, your domain or the server IP is fine. Ensure the username matches the format shown in cPanel.
• Directory listing or transfers hang: Enable Passive mode in your FTP client. Timeouts can also be firewall or NAT related. Try from another network. If it still fails, open a support ticket with the exact error and timestamp.
• Wrong folder or missing files: Check the Directory set on the FTP account. You cannot change the Path in cPanel after creation. Delete the account only, then recreate it with the correct Directory. Upload to public_html if the content must be web-visible.

What next

If you would rather use SFTP, that is SSH-based and uses your main cPanel user when SSH is enabled on the account. For help choosing between FTP, FTPS and SFTP, or for larger workflows on your own server, see our VPS guides. If you are growing into your own server, review our UK locations on Linux VPS. If you hit a roadblock at any point, open a support ticket.