FTP 120 Service Ready Soon vs 250 File Action OK
FTP 120 (Service Ready Soon) is a 1xx Positive Preliminary response, while 250 (File Action OK) is a 2xx Positive Completion response. 120 indicates that the service will be ready in a certain number of minutes. The server is not yet available but expects to be shortly. In contrast, 250 means that requested file action okay, completed. The operation on the file or directory was successful.
Description
The service will be ready in a certain number of minutes. The server is not yet available but expects to be shortly.
When You See It
When connecting to an FTP server that is starting up or temporarily busy with maintenance tasks.
How to Fix
Wait the indicated number of minutes and try connecting again. If the server never becomes ready, contact the server administrator.
Description
Requested file action okay, completed. The operation on the file or directory was successful.
When You See It
After successfully changing directories (CWD), deleting a file (DELE), or renaming a file (RNTO).
How to Fix
No fix needed — the file operation completed successfully.
Key Differences
120 is a 1xx Positive Preliminary response, while 250 is a 2xx Positive Completion response.
FTP 120: The service will be ready in a certain number of minutes. The server is not yet available but expects to be shortly.
FTP 250: Requested file action okay, completed. The operation on the file or directory was successful.
You encounter 120 when when connecting to an FTP server that is starting up or temporarily busy with maintenance tasks.
You encounter 250 when after successfully changing directories (CWD), deleting a file (DELE), or renaming a file (RNTO).
When to Use Which
For 120 (Service Ready Soon): Wait the indicated number of minutes and try connecting again. If the server never becomes ready, contact the server administrator. For 250 (File Action OK): No fix needed — the file operation completed successfully.