FTP 150 File Status OK vs 331 Username OK, Need Password
FTP 150 (File Status OK) is a 1xx Positive Preliminary response, while 331 (Username OK, Need Password) is a 3xx Positive Intermediate response. 150 indicates that the file status is okay and the server is about to open the data connection for the transfer. This is the normal precursor to a file transfer. In contrast, 331 means that user name okay, need password. The server recognized the username and is waiting for the corresponding password to complete authentication.
Description
The file status is okay and the server is about to open the data connection for the transfer. This is the normal precursor to a file transfer.
When You See It
Right before a file download or upload begins, confirming the file is accessible and the data channel is being opened.
How to Fix
No fix needed — this means the transfer is about to start. If the transfer stalls after this reply, check firewall rules blocking the data connection.
Description
User name okay, need password. The server recognized the username and is waiting for the corresponding password to complete authentication.
When You See It
After sending the USER command with a valid username. The server is prompting for the PASS command.
How to Fix
Send the PASS command with the correct password. If you get 530 after PASS, the password is wrong — verify your credentials.
Key Differences
150 is a 1xx Positive Preliminary response, while 331 is a 3xx Positive Intermediate response.
FTP 150: The file status is okay and the server is about to open the data connection for the transfer. This is the normal precursor to a file transfer.
FTP 331: User name okay, need password. The server recognized the username and is waiting for the corresponding password to complete authentication.
You encounter 150 when right before a file download or upload begins, confirming the file is accessible and the data channel is being opened.
You encounter 331 when after sending the USER command with a valid username. The server is prompting for the PASS command.
When to Use Which
For 150 (File Status OK): No fix needed — this means the transfer is about to start. If the transfer stalls after this reply, check firewall rules blocking the data connection. For 331 (Username OK, Need Password): Send the PASS command with the correct password. If you get 530 after PASS, the password is wrong — verify your credentials.