Add Remote Server Credentials to Jetpack

Add FTP/SFTP/SSH server credentials to get the most out of Jetpack VaultPress Backup and Jetpack Scan

When you purchase a plan that includes Jetpack VaultPress Backup or Jetpack Scan, we will back up and/or scan your site right away as long as Jetpack is properly connected. However, we require remote server credentials in order to:

• Continue backing your site up even if Jetpack gets disconnected.
• Perform a restore of your site
• Back your site up as efficiently as possible
• Fix security threats with just one click, for users with a paid Jetpack Scan plan

Add your remote server credentials

To add your FTP/SFTP/SSH remote server credentials:

1. Get remote server credentials from your web host settings. You may need to ask your web host’s customer support team for help if you can’t find them in your hosting account.
2. Navigate to WordPress.com or Cloud.Jetpack.com
3. Select the Jetpack-connected site you want to add server credentials for.
4. Go to Settings → Jetpack on WordPress.com or just Settings in Cloud.Jetpack.com.
5. Click on your hosting provider if listed. If not, or you already have your server credentials, click I don’t know / my host is not listed here / I have my server credentials.
6. On the next screen, enter your credentials. See below for more details about each field.
7. Click Test and save credentials. Once the site is connected, Jetpack will start your first backup.

Note: If your site is hosted at Pressable, we can automatically detect these credentials for you. In that case, you will see a message asking for your approval to grant Jetpack permission to use credentials to back up your site.

Details about remote server credentials

The information below explains what to enter into each field, based on the type of remote server credentials you’re adding.

• Credential type: FTP or STFP/SSH
• Server address: Often your site URL, but some hosts require you to use a special domain or an IP address.
  Note: If you’re using Cloudflare with your website, always use the server’s IP address where your site is located.
• Port Number: Typically 21 for FTP and 22 for STFP/SSH. Check with your host to make usre.
• WordPress installation path: The directory on your server where your WordPress installation is located.
• Server username: This username should have read and write (rw) access to your WordPress directory.
  Note: the root user cannot be used.
• Server password: Make sure this password is secure and is different from other passwords you use. How to select a strong password.

If you are unsure about any of this information, contact your hosting provider for assistance.

Add SSH credentials with private key

​​To use SSH with a private key instead of a password, please follow these steps:

1. Generate a private/public key pair on your server.
2. Copy the private key and add it to a text file somewhere on your computer. 

​​You’ll need the following information: 

• Server password: This field is optional if you’re using a private key. If you enter one, Jetpack will try both the private key and the password. Make sure this password is secure and is different from other passwords you use. How to select a strong password.
• SSH Private key: Make sure that it is not password protected and using OpenSSH/RSA format. Password protected private keys and/or keys in PuTTY format are not supported.

If you are unsure about any of this information, please contact your hosting provider for assistance.

Jetpack remote server credentials and Flywheel

If your site is hosted by Flywheel, you must use SFTP server credentials with Jetpack. FTP or SSH credentials will not work. Your server password will be your Flywheel login password.

Troubleshoot remote server credentials errors

If you see an error message when you click Test and save credentials, click on the More details toggle for more information about the error; below are the most common issues.

If you see an error of Can't save credentials for an invalid public host, please make sure the credentials are correct by following these steps:

1. Check for typos, or extra spaces before or after what you entered.
2. Try to connect to your server using an FTP client (such as FileZilla) or a command line (if you are comfortable with that). If the connection fails, contact your hosting provider and check for the correct credentials with them.
3. This could also indicate that there is malware on your site which is preventing the credentials from being saved.

If you see an error of Could not open connection with given credentials please check that your host is not blocking our access, by following these steps:

1. Try to connect to your server using an FTP client (such as FileZilla) or a command line (if you are comfortable with that). If the connection fails, contact your hosting provider and check for the correct credentials with them.
2. If you are able to connect via an FTP client or command line, but the connection via our interface fails, please contact your host and ask them to allow connection from the IP addresses listed here.

If you see an error of We looked for wp-config.php in the WordPress installation path you provided but couldn't find it, please follow these steps:

1. Contact your host to confirm that you add the correct path. It should contain your wp-config.php file.
2. If you confirm that the path is correct but the error persists, please contact our support directly.

ℹ️ Unsure what server credentials are? Check out our documentation about SSH, SFTP, FTPS, and FTP Credentials.