Add Server Credentials to Jetpack

Add FTP or 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, server credentials are required 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

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

Add Your Credentials

To add your FTP or SFTP/SSH server credentials:

1. Go to WordPress.com or Cloud.Jetpack.com
2. Click Switch Site and select the Jetpack-connected site you want to add server credentials to.
3. Go to Settings → Jetpack on WordPress.com or just Settings in Cloud.Jetpack.com.
4. 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.
5. On the next screen, enter your credentials. See below for more details about each field.
6. 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 credentials

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

Add FTP credentials

To use FTP credentials, you’ll need the following information: 

• Credential type: This will be FTP
• Server address: This is often your site URL, but some hosts require you to use a different, special domain or an IP address. Note: If you’re using Cloudflare with your website, you will always need to use the server’s IP address where your site is located.
• Port Number: This will be 21.
• WordPress installation path: This should point to the directory on your server where your WordPress installation is located.
• Server username: This username should have read and write access to your WordPress directory.
• Server password: Try to make sure this password is secure and is different from other passwords you use. If you’re unsure about your password strength, read this article on Selecting a Strong Password.

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

Add SFTP/SSH credentials

Typically, SFTP setup coincides with SSH activation on your server. However, in the case of some hosts, it is possible to create a standalone SFTP account that is unrelated to SSH.

To use SFTP/SSH credentials, you’ll need the following information: 

• Credential type: This will be SFTP/SSH
• Server address: This is often your site URL, but some hosts require you to use a different, special domain or an IP address. Note: If you’re using Cloudflare with your website, you will always need to use the server’s IP address where your site is located.
• Port Number: This is typically 22. Double-check with your hosting provider to ensure you have the right one.
• WordPress installation path: This should point to the directory on your server where your WordPress installation is located.
• Server username: This username should have read and write access to your WordPress directory.
• Server password: Try to make sure this password is secure and is different from other passwords you use. If you’re unsure about your password strength, read this article on Selecting 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, you’ll need to first generate a private/public key pair on your server. Once you’ve done that, copy the private key and add it to a text file somewhere on your computer. 

​​To use SFTP credentials, you’ll need the following information: 

• Credential type: This will be SFTP/SSH
• Server address: This is often your site URL, but some hosts require you to use a different, special domain or an IP address. Note: If you’re using Cloudflare with your website, you will always need to use the server’s IP address where your site is located.
• Port Number: This is typically 22, but other values are also possible. Double-check with your hosting provider to ensure you have the right one.
• WordPress installation path: This should point to the directory on your server where your WordPress installation is located.
• Server username: This username should have read and write access to your WordPress directory.
• Server password: This field is optional if you’re using a private key. If you enter one, Jetpack will try the private key and the password both. Try to make sure this password is secure and is different from other passwords you use. If you’re unsure about your password strength, read this article on Selecting 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.

Troubleshoot server credentials errors

When you click Test and save credentials, we will try to establish the connection. If we can’t establish a connection, your credentials will not get saved.

Instead, you will see an error message. Below the error message, you will see a More details toggle. Clicking it will provide you with more information about the connection issue.

Let’s look into the most common problems.

Can’t save credentials for an invalid public host

This error indicates that the host information that you added is not correct.

1. Check for typos.
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.

Could not open connection with given credentials

This error indicates that either the provided credentials are incorrect or your host may be blocking Jetpack IP addresses.

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.

We looked for `wp-config.php` in the WordPress installation path you provided but couldn’t find it.

This error indicates a problem with the WordPress installation path. This should point to the directory on your server where your WordPress installation is located.

1. You may need to 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.