Troubleshooting

General Hints

When facing an issue with WinSCP, following resources and hints may help you to resolve the issue yourself:

Try to find solution in F.A.Q or in this documentation. Use Search box on the right,
If you are getting an error message, check list of common error messages.
Try to find a solution in support forum. Again, use Search box on the right, this time check Whole site.
Make sure you are using the latest version of WinSCP.
If some feature of WinSCP is not working as you expect, check documentation of respective dialog box (use Help button). You may be missing configuration option or may not understand what the feature actually does.
If you wonder why some feature of WinSCP is or not available (is disabled/grayed), check documentation of respective dialog box (use Help button).

When you are not able to connect to the server:

Make sure you use protocol that the server supports.
Read guide for connecting to FTP/SFTP server.
Try if you can connect with other client using the same protocol.
- If you can connect with other client, check why WinSCP may not be able to connect to a server, when other clients are.
- When using SFTP/SCP, it may be useful to try to connect with SSH terminal client (such as PuTTY). You may get some useful message back on terminal screen.
Check other F.A.Q. on connection.
If you are getting an error message, check list of common error messages.
If the server refuses to accept your connection or drops the connection suddenly, you should better check the server (e.g. its log file) first to find out the reason. Contact the server administrator if you cannot check the server yourself.

When you are facing issue with scripting/automation:

Read guide for automation/scripting and other related guides.
Check F.A.Q. on scripting/automation.
If you are getting an error message, check list of common error messages.
Turn on logging and check the generated log file to see if WinSCP actually does what you want it to do.