Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-15

How to Fix: Notepad++ NppFTP Connecting [SFTP] Connection failed : Socket error: disconnected

NppFTP connection issue with SFTP on FreeBSD server.

Quick Answer: Check NppFTP version compatibility and ensure SSH tunneling is set up correctly.

Notepad++ NppFTP users are experiencing an issue with connecting to an SFTP server via SSH tunnel. The error message 'Socket error: disconnected' is displayed, preventing successful connection attempts.

This frustrating issue affects users who have successfully connected using the SFTP command in terminal but not through NppFTP. We will guide you through the troubleshooting process and provide solutions to resolve this problem.

⚠️ Common Causes

  • The primary reason for this error is due to the difference in SSH port forwarding configurations between Notepad++ and the terminal. The terminal uses the `-L` option to specify the local port and the remote host's port, whereas NppFTP may not be configured correctly.
  • Another possible cause could be a mismatch in the SSH server versions or configurations on both ends of the connection. This might require further investigation and configuration adjustments.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Configuring Notepad++ for Correct SSH Port Forwarding

  1. Step 1: Open Notepad++ and navigate to Settings > Ftp/SFTP. In the 'SFTP' section, ensure that the 'Local port' field is set to the same value as used in the terminal command (12345).
  2. Step 2: In the 'Advanced' tab, check if the 'Use proxy' option is enabled. If not, toggle it on.
  3. Step 3: Click 'Apply' and then 'OK' to save the changes.

Checking SSH Server Configuration and Port Forwarding

  1. Step 1: Verify that the SSH server version on the remote host is compatible with Notepad++. Ensure that OpenSSH_7.8p1 (or higher) is used, as it supports the necessary port forwarding features.
  2. Step 2: Check if the remote host's firewall or security settings are blocking the connection attempt. Configure any necessary rules to allow incoming connections on the specified local port (12345).

✨ Wrapping Up

To resolve the 'Socket error: disconnected' issue in Notepad++ NppFTP, ensure that the SSH port forwarding configuration is correct and compatible with both ends of the connection. By following these steps, users should be able to successfully connect to their SFTP server via SSH tunnel using NppFTP.

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