---
title: "How to upload files via SFTP"
description: "Your SFTP host, port 2022 and username are in the panel's Settings tab, and the password is your panel password. Connect with FileZilla to upload mods."
url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/general/how-to-upload-files-via-sftp/"
category: "General"
category_url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/general/"
published: "2026-04-10T01:13:30.138Z"
updated: "2026-08-19T04:20:39.486Z"
source_format: "markdown"
site: "GameServerKings"
---

# How to upload files via SFTP

The panel's built-in File Manager handles most file work on our [game server hosting plans](/games/) with no FTP client needed. Some jobs — bulk mod uploads, folders with a nested structure, very large files — are still easier over SFTP, which lets you connect with a desktop file transfer client and drag-and-drop straight to your server volume. This guide covers both, starting with the route that needs no software.

## Start with the File Manager

Open your server in the panel and click the **Files** tab. From there you can:

- Browse folders, and open text and config files in the in-browser editor
- Upload by dragging files onto the window, or with the **Upload** button
- **Rename**, **Move**, **Copy**, **Download**, **Delete** or set **Permissions** on any file from the `...` menu beside it
- **Archive** and **Unarchive** — the quickest way to shift a lot of small files at once
- Tick several files at once to get a mass-actions bar with **Move**, **Archive** and **Delete**

For a single config edit, a quick browse, or dropping in one or two files, this is faster than any client.

> [!NOTE] The File Manager cannot upload a folder
> It takes files only — dragging in a folder will not work, and the panel says so: *"Folder uploads are not supported."* When a mod ships as a folder with a nested structure you have two options: send it over SFTP as below, or zip it on your computer, upload the single zip, and use **Unarchive** in the panel to unpack it in place.

## What You Need

- A SFTP client: **FileZilla** (free, Windows/Mac/Linux), **WinSCP** (Windows), **Cyberduck** (Mac), or any SFTP-capable client
- Your panel credentials

## Step 1: Get Your SFTP Credentials

1. Log into your server panel and open your server.

2. Click the **Settings** tab in the sidebar.

3. The **SFTP Details** section shows:

   - **SFTP Server**: The host address of the node your server runs on — something like `dfw-shared-1.gameserverkings.com` or `lon-shared-2.gameserverkings.com`. It differs from server to server, so copy the exact value shown here.
   - **SFTP Port**: Usually `2022`
   - **SFTP Username**: A specific username, often in the format `yourname.uniqueid`
   - **Password**: This is your **panel password** (the same one you log in with)

> [!IMPORTANT] Your SFTP password is **always your panel password**
> It's not displayed in the SFTP section because of this.

## Step 2: Connect with FileZilla

1. Open FileZilla.

2. At the top, enter:

   - **Host**: `sftp://<server address>` (the `sftp://` prefix is important)
   - **Username**: Your SFTP username
   - **Password**: Your panel password
   - **Port**: 2022

3. Click **Quickconnect**.

> [!NOTE]
> The first time, FileZilla prompts to trust the host key. Click **OK** (or **Always trust**).

The right pane shows your server's file structure. Navigate folders by double-clicking.

## Step 3: Upload Files

Drag-and-drop files from your computer (left pane) to the server (right pane). Multiple files at once works fine.

For a mod upload, typical workflow:

1. On your computer, prepare the mod folder.

2. In FileZilla, navigate to your server's mod folder (e.g., [`mods/` for Minecraft](/knowledge-base/minecraft/java-mods/), [`oxide/plugins/` for Rust](/knowledge-base/rust/how-to-install-oxide/)).

3. Drag the mod file or folder onto the right pane.

4. Wait for the transfer to finish.

## Step 4: Use Bookmarks for Quick Access

In FileZilla, **File** > **Site Manager** > **New Site**. Enter the details once and save. Future connections are one click.

## Permissions

The SFTP user can read and write files within your server volume only. You cannot navigate above the server root or access other servers (even ones on the same node).

If your [**Sub-Users**](/knowledge-base/general/how-to-add-sub-users-to-your-panel/) have SFTP access enabled, they connect with their own credentials.

## Common Issues

- **"Connection refused"**: Check the port. SFTP uses 2022 on our panel, not the default 22.
- **"Authentication failed"**: Use your panel password, not a separate SFTP password. If you reset your panel password recently, the new password applies to SFTP immediately.
- **Files appear in the file manager but not in-game**: Confirm you uploaded to the right folder. Mod folders differ between games (`oxide/plugins/`, `BepInEx/plugins/`, `mods/`, etc.).
- **Upload speed is slow**: SFTP is encrypted, which adds overhead. For large file batches (multi-GB), zip the files locally, upload the zip, and unpack it with the File Manager's **Unarchive** action.

## Resumable Uploads

FileZilla auto-resumes interrupted uploads. If your connection drops mid-transfer, restart the upload of the same file and FileZilla will pick up where it left off.

## SFTP vs File Manager

| Task | Best Tool |
|------|-----------|
| Single small text edit | File Manager (faster, no client) |
| Bulk file upload (10+ files) | SFTP |
| Folder structure preservation | SFTP |
| Quick visual browse | File Manager |
| Files larger than 100 MB | SFTP |

Use both as appropriate.

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