File permission problems
Symptoms
- The application says it cannot write to a folder, or cannot save uploads.
- The site shows "403 Forbidden" on some pages or files.
- Uploads work for one user but fail for another, or after an update.
Common causes
- A folder or file has permissions that are too restrictive, or too open.
- Files were uploaded with the wrong owner, for example by a different user or tool.
- An update or restore changed the ownership of the files.
- Security rules block access to a folder.
Safe initial checks
- Check the error log for the exact path and message. See Resource usage and logs.
- Check the permissions of the folder in File manager.
- Check the owner of the files, if the file manager shows it.
Never set permissions to full write access for everyone as a quick fix. It exposes the site to tampering.
Step-by-step solutions
- Folders. Set folders to the standard value for web folders, which allows the owner to write and others to read and enter.
- Files. Set files to the standard value for web files, which allows the owner to write and others to read.
- Wrong owner. Confirm the expected account owner and ask support to correct ownership if the panel does not offer a supported repair. Do not compensate with world-writable permissions.
- Upload folder. Only the upload folder should be writable by the application. Leave other folders read-only where possible.
Confirm the application works after each change, and reset any value you changed too far.
How to confirm the issue is fixed
- The application saves uploads and the error log shows no new permission messages.
- The pages that returned 403 now load.
When to contact support
Contact support if the standard permissions are set, the owner is correct, and the errors still appear.
Information to include in a support ticket
- The exact path that fails, and the error text from the log.
- The permissions and owner shown for that path.
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Last reviewed
2026-10-28