The .htaccess file is a configuration file for Apache web servers. By editing this file you can: enable/disable server functions Such as URL redirection, password protection, or restricting access to certain IP addresses. Increasing your server resources and troubleshooting it is also possible. To do this, you must first locate the file in the WordPress root directory.
it is important to know “.htaccess” is the full filename, not a file extension like .css or .js. The leading dot (“.”) indicates that the file is hidden and will not be displayed by default when viewed by some file managers or FTP clients. There are two possible ways to solve this problem. If you have it on your file server, simply enable the appropriate option(s) in your FTP client to show it. If not, you need to create a new one and upload it via FTP to your server.
Let’s see how to do this!
How to Show Hidden Files on Your FTP Client
Having an FTP client is essential when running a WordPress site. whether you need to fix a problem or add functionality, how to use an FTP client, and accessing files on the server is quite useful. Fortunately, there are many FTP clients, both free and paid. For the purposes of this article, we’ll cover several popular free FTP clients and their respective options for showing hidden files in those clients.
FileZilla
FileZilla is user-friendly software compatible with Windows, macOS and Linux. It supports FTP, FTPS and SFTP transfer protocols. It combines many features such as quick file edits, keep-alive link and resume file transfer and create bookmarks. However, you should be very careful about installing bundled adware that can sneak in unwanted programs through the backdoor. Be sure to carefully read the installation options and uncheck any additional software offered.
on FileZillaGo to option and you will find the option to show hidden files. Server tab and by clicking onForce show hidden files”.
WinSCP
WinSCP (Windows Safe Copy) another user-friendly FTP softwarebut only available for Windows. It supports FTP, SFTP, SCP, as well as Amazon S3 and WebDAV protocols. Among its many features, it offers fast file editing and editor options, 2 separate interfaces, as well as storing and importing session information. However, although it is generally user-friendly, it may take some time for inexperienced users to get used to its interface.
To find the .htaccess file using WinSCPyou need to connect to the server first, “Options” tab and click on “Preferences” option.
continue by clicking on Panels category left”Show hidden filesSelect the ” option and press the “ buttonOK”.
cyber duck
“cyber duck It is a free server and cloud storage browser for Mac and Windows with support for FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3, OpenStack Swift, Backblaze B2, Microsoft Azure & OneDrive, Google Drive and Dropbox.”
Its features include remote editing of files, creation and import of bookmarks, and resume file transfer. However, uploading files can take some time and according to most of its users, the user interface is not very attractive.
with CyberduckYou will find the .htcaccess file by going to “View” tab and by clicking onShow hidden files”.
Free FTP
Free FTP is an FTP software created especially for new users. It supports FTP, FTPS, SFTP and HTTPS, but is for Windows only. Its features include: bookmarks, remote editing and FTP history. Of the 4 FTP clients mentioned in this article, it is the only one that also has a paid version that unlocks many additional features.
On Free FTPYou will find the .htaccess file by going to: “View” tab and click on “Show Hidden Files” option.
Creating the .htaccess file
If you still can’t see the .htaccess file, it probably doesn’t exist and needs to be created.. You can do this automatically or manually.
Saving permalinks
Among other things, The .htaccess file allows displaying site permalinks. This means that the default .htaccess file is made the first time the permalink settings are saved. So, you most likely skipped this and will create a new .htaccess file by following these steps.
Set route to Settings > Permalinks and press “Save ChangesPress the ” button in the lower left corner.
If that didn’t fix the issue and you see a warning that your .htaccess file is “not writable”, it’s most likely a file/folder permissions issue. In this case, go to the second option.
Create manually
The .htaccess file can be created manually by opening a new file with a text editor of your choice and pasting the code below.
# BEGIN WordPress
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
# END WordPress
At that time, save as file “.htaccess” Somewhere on your desktop.
Connect to your server using your FTP credentials and the home directory of your root WordPress directory. This is the folder that contains the folder with all the WordPress installation files in it. Right click on it and Click on “File Attributes…” from the menu that appears.
add manually 755 and press “OK” button.
Next, go to: root wordpress directory and drag the previously created file to upload.
Fly. Recommended permissions for folders/directories should be one of the following: 755 or 750. Values for files should be: 644 or 640While set to wp-config.php file 440 or 400.
Make sure these values are set correctly after you fix the .htaccess issue to keep your site safe.
final thoughts
By following these guidelines, you can test various FTP clients and choose the one that suits you best. Keep this with you as you will often need the .htaccess file and FTP client when troubleshooting a large number of WordPress site issues.
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