Unable to connect to a Plesk for Windows server via FTP when computer name is longer than 15 characters: Login failed.

Symptoms

• When connecting to a Plesk server via FTP, the operation fails with the following error messages:

  530 User cannot log in, home directory inaccessible.
  Login failed.

  In FileZilla:

  Response: 530 User cannot log in, home directory inaccessible.
  Error: Critical error: Could not connect to server

• The plesk repair ftp utility reports the following error message:

  C:> plesk repair ftp -n

  Checking host name
      The name cannot be longer than 15 characters ...................... [ERROR]

Cause

The hostname (computer name) cannot be longer than 15 characters.

Resolution

Connect to the Plesk server via RDP and change the hostname (computer name):

• Windows Server 2012 and newer:

  1. Open Windows Control Panel, then go to System > Change settings (Next to Computer name) > Change... and specify the Computer name (max 15 characters).

  2. Restart the server.

 

• Windows Server 2008:

  1. Right-click the My Computericon and choose Properties.

  2. Select the Computer Name tab and click on the Change button and specify the Computer name (max 15 characters)..

  3. Restart the server.