Joomla 1.5 FTP Configuration: How To

Joomla 1.5 FTP problems are a common topic on the Joomla forum. For example, if Joomla FTP is not configured correctly, you might see the following errors when you are tying to upload images or files using the Media Manager or JCE Editor: JFTP::login: Unable to login JFTP::store: JFTP::mkdir: Bad response
There are two ways to fix this problem. Correct your FTP settings or turn off the Joomla FTP. The following procedure describes how to configure the Joomla 1.5 FTP.

To configure Joomla 1.5 FTP

The trick to Joomla FTP is to figure out the default directory for your ftp account. This is the directory you are in when you log into your ftp account. For example, for most web hosts, your default FTP account logs you into your account directory; for example, /home/myaccount/

Inside of your default directory, you will usually find a directory called public_html, or www, or public. Whatever it's called, it means the same thing: it's the root of your web server. The files above that directory are not accessible from a web browser. If you don't know your default ftp directory, call your host and ask. Also ask which directory is used for your website root. Once you have that information, you can configure the Joomla FTP.

  1. From the Joomla Admin screen, go to Site > Global Configuration > Server.

    Joomla FTP ConfigurationJoomla 1.5 FTP Settings
  2. In the FTP Host field, enter your FTP host. It's usually your domain name; for example, mysite.com, and it will be the same host you use to connect with an FTP tool.
  3. In the FTP Port field, enter the FTP port. Unless your host tells you a different port, leave it at 21.
  4. In the FTP Username field, enter your ftp username.
  5. In the FTP Password field, enter your FTP password.
  6. In the FTP Root field, enter the directory in which Joomla is installed. For example, if default ftp directory is /home/myaccount and Joomla is installed in /home/myaccount/www, enter /www in the FTP Root field.
  7. Click Save to save your Global Settings. Test to see if you can upload images in the Media Manager. If you can, you configured your FTP correctly.

    Note: If you cannot get the Joomla FTP to work, turn off the Joomla FTP. See the next procedure.

To turn off Joomla 1.5 FTP

If you can't figure out how to configure Joomla FTP, you can turn it off.

  1. From the Joomla Admin screen, go to Site > Global Configuration > Server.
  2. In the Enable FTP box, select No.
  3. Click Save.