FTP 214 Help Message vs 553 File Name Not Allowed
FTP 214 (Help Message) is a 2xx Positive Completion response, while 553 (File Name Not Allowed) is a 5xx Permanent Negative response. 214 indicates that help message. The server provides information about its implementation status, including a list of recognized commands or help for a specific command. In contrast, 553 means that requested action not taken. File name not allowed. The file or directory name violates the server's naming rules or filesystem restrictions.
Description
Help message. The server provides information about its implementation status, including a list of recognized commands or help for a specific command.
When You See It
After issuing the HELP command. The server returns a list of supported commands or detailed usage for a specific command.
How to Fix
No fix needed — this is an informational response. Use it to discover which commands the server supports.
Description
Requested action not taken. File name not allowed. The file or directory name violates the server's naming rules or filesystem restrictions.
When You See It
When you try to create or rename a file with characters the server's filesystem does not allow, such as special characters or reserved names.
How to Fix
Rename the file to use only allowed characters. Avoid special characters like ?, *, |, <, >, and leading/trailing spaces or dots.
Key Differences
214 is a 2xx Positive Completion response, while 553 is a 5xx Permanent Negative response.
FTP 214: Help message. The server provides information about its implementation status, including a list of recognized commands or help for a specific command.
FTP 553: Requested action not taken. File name not allowed. The file or directory name violates the server's naming rules or filesystem restrictions.
You encounter 214 when after issuing the HELP command. The server returns a list of supported commands or detailed usage for a specific command.
You encounter 553 when when you try to create or rename a file with characters the server's filesystem does not allow, such as special characters or reserved names.
When to Use Which
For 214 (Help Message): No fix needed — this is an informational response. Use it to discover which commands the server supports. For 553 (File Name Not Allowed): Rename the file to use only allowed characters. Avoid special characters like ?, *, |, <, >, and leading/trailing spaces or dots.