Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: Error executing sftp with curl

Error executing sftp with curl: Protocol not supported or disabled in libcurl.

Quick Answer: Check if SFTP is enabled on the server and ensure the correct protocol is used.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 💡 Why You Are Getting This Error
  2. ✅ Best Solutions to Fix It
  3. 💡 Conclusion

The error 'Protocol sftp not supported or disabled in libcurl' occurs when the system's libcurl library does not support SFTP protocol or it is disabled. This issue affects users who are trying to use SFTP with curl command, especially those using IBM's Data Explorer for data import.

This error can be frustrating as it prevents users from accessing their files through SFTP. Fortunately, there are steps that can be taken to resolve this issue.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The primary reason why this error happens is due to libcurl not being configured to support the SFTP protocol. This can occur if the system's curl configuration file does not include the sftp library or if it is disabled for security reasons.
  • Another possible cause of this error could be a firewall or proxy setting that blocks access to the SFTP port (port 22). In such cases, additional configuration or tweaking may be necessary to resolve the issue.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

Enabling SFTP Support in libcurl

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Check if sftp is enabled in libcurl by looking for the 'sftp' protocol in the curl configuration file (usually located at /etc/ssl/openssl.cnf). If it's not present, add the following lines to enable SFTP support:
  2. Step 2: ssl_protocols = all -SSLv3 -SFTP
  3. Step 3: Step 2: Restart the system or reload the libcurl library to apply the changes. This can be done by running the command 'service curl restart' (for Debian-based systems) or 'systemctl restart curl' (for systemd-based systems).
  4. Step 4: Step 3: Verify that SFTP is now supported by running the command 'curl -V' and checking for the presence of 'sftp' in the protocols list.

Configuring Firewall or Proxy to Allow SFTP Access

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Check if there are any firewall rules blocking access to port 22 (the default SFTP port). If so, configure the firewall to allow incoming traffic on this port.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: If using a proxy server, ensure that it is configured to forward incoming connections on port 22 to the local machine. This may require additional configuration of the proxy settings.

💡 Conclusion

To resolve the 'Protocol sftp not supported or disabled in libcurl' error, first check if SFTP support is enabled in libcurl and enable it if necessary. Alternatively, configure any firewall or proxy settings to allow access to port 22. By following these steps, users should be able to successfully use SFTP with curl command.

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