Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-19

How to Fix: NAT - FTPS (Error : Failed to retrieve directory list)

Troubleshooting guide for NAT and FTPS issues on Ubuntu 13.04 with vsftpd.

Quick Answer: Check the firewall rules and ensure that the FTP server is configured correctly.

The 'NAT - FTPS (Error: Failed to retrieve directory list)' issue affects users who have set up FTPS (FTP over SSL/TLS) on their servers using vsftpd. This error occurs when the client-side FTPS connection fails to retrieve the directory listing after a successful login and TLS/SSL handshake.

This error can be frustrating for users as it prevents them from accessing the files on the server. However, by following the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to resolve the issue and regain access to your files.

🛑 Root Causes of the Error

  • The primary reason for this error is a misconfiguration of the FTPS settings on the client-side or server-side. Specifically, the issue may arise from an incorrect configuration of the SSL/TLS parameters or a mismatch between the client and server SSL/TLS ciphers.
  • Another possible cause is a problem with the certificate used by the server, which prevents the client from establishing a secure connection.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Check and correct FTPS settings on both client and server

  1. Step 1: On the client-side, ensure that the FTPS settings are correctly configured. Check the 'FTP Settings' or 'Advanced Settings' section to verify that the SSL/TLS parameters are set up correctly.
  2. Step 2: Verify that the same SSL/TLS ciphers are used on both the client and server sides. You can do this by checking the 'SSL/TLS Ciphers' settings in the vsftpd configuration file (vsftpd.conf) or the FTPS settings in the client software.
  3. Step 3: If using a custom SSL certificate, ensure that it is correctly configured on the server-side and that the client has access to the certificate authority's root certificate.

Check and correct certificate issues

  1. Step 1: On the server-side, verify that the SSL/TLS certificates are correctly configured. Check the 'SSL/TLS Certificates' settings in the vsftpd configuration file (vsftpd.conf) or the FTPS settings in the client software.
  2. Step 2: If using a custom SSL certificate, ensure that it is correctly installed and configured on the server-side. You can also try updating the certificate to see if it resolves the issue.

✨ Wrapping Up

To resolve the 'NAT - FTPS (Error: Failed to retrieve directory list)' issue, you need to check and correct the FTPS settings on both client and server sides. Additionally, ensure that the SSL/TLS certificates are correctly configured and installed. By following these steps, you should be able to regain access to your files and resolve the error.

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