FTP and SSH access

How to change a hosting subscription password

Change the system-user password used for FTP and, where enabled, SSH without changing your Client Area, Plesk-panel or mailbox password.

Used byFTP file access
May also controlSSH access
Separate fromClient Area login

Change the correct password

The hosting subscription system user normally controls FTP and possibly SSH. Plesk-panel users, additional FTP accounts, databases and mailboxes have separate credentials.

Set a new subscription password

  1. Open My Services, select the hosting service and log in to Plesk.
  2. Open Websites & Domains and select Web Hosting Access or Hosting Settings for the subscription's primary domain.
  3. Keep the existing system username unless you have a documented reason to change it.
  4. Generate a strong unique password and record it in an approved password manager.
  5. Confirm the password and select OK.
  6. Update every FTP client, deployment process and backup job that uses the old password.

Test without risking website files

  • Connect using the server hostname, system username and new password.
  • Prefer SFTP where the plan provides SSH access; otherwise use the secure FTP method supported by the server.
  • List the document root but do not overwrite or delete a live file during the test.
  • Confirm scheduled deployments and remote backups still authenticate.

A website may store these credentials elsewhere

Changing the subscription password can break external deployment, backup or synchronisation jobs that use it. It does not normally change a WordPress administrator or database password.

Use the matching control for a different account

Additional FTP account
Open FTP Accounts and edit that specific user.
Plesk-panel login
Use Edit Profile or the Plesk password-reset process.
Mailbox
Change the mailbox password in Mail or Domain Tools.
Database user
Change it under Databases and update the application configuration at the same time.

FTP or SSH still rejects the new password?

Send us the hosting service, server hostname, username, protocol, port, time tested and exact error. Never send either the old or new password.

Ask the Hosting team

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