Why does an error appear when connecting to FTP using WinSCP?

Possible reasons for errors when connectint to FTP using WinSCP.

Symptoms

When you attempt to connect to FTP using WinSCP, the following error appears: 'No connection could be made because the target machine actively refused it'. This is the same as the Network Error: Connection Refused.

Resolving the problem

Per WinSCP.net, you might get this message when connecting to a server for following reasons.

  • You are trying to use WinSCP for a purpose for which it is not designed. WinSCP needs a SSH or FTP server to be installed on the machine to which you want to connect. In particular, you cannot easily use it to connect to another Windows workstation, because Windows does not have an SSH or FTP server included by default.
  • You are trying to use protocol that the server does not support. Particularly you are trying SFTP/SCP (over SSH), but the server supports FTP; or vice versa. Check selected protocol on the login dialog. Note that WinSCP defaults to SFTP protocol, while most other similar applications default to FTP.
  • The server is running on non-standard port. Make sure you enter actual port number on login dialog.
  • You might need to connect through proxy server, but you have not specified one on Proxy page of Advanced Site Settings dialog.
  • Connection was blocked by firewall.

If you find that, after checking all of the above there are still problems connecting to the FTP, contact Client Support.

Note: Acoustic Campaign does not support WinSCP. We do support our FTP. This article is for informative purposes only.