FTP 214 Help Message vs 500 Syntax Error
FTP 214 (Help Message) is a 2xx Positive Completion response, while 500 (Syntax Error) 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, 500 means that syntax error, command unrecognized. The server could not parse the command. This may also be sent when the command line is too long.
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
Syntax error, command unrecognized. The server could not parse the command. This may also be sent when the command line is too long.
When You See It
When you send a malformed or misspelled command, or a command the server does not recognize at all.
How to Fix
Check the command spelling and syntax. Use HELP to see the list of supported commands on this server.
Key Differences
214 is a 2xx Positive Completion response, while 500 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 500: Syntax error, command unrecognized. The server could not parse the command. This may also be sent when the command line is too long.
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 500 when when you send a malformed or misspelled command, or a command the server does not recognize at all.
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 500 (Syntax Error): Check the command spelling and syntax. Use HELP to see the list of supported commands on this server.