---
title: "Editing and handling the .htaccess file"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/software/kadence/solid/general-wp/edit-htaccess-file/"
description: "Coming soon: SolidWP is becoming Kadence. You may see both names used while we update the product, documentation, and customer experience. Why modify the .htacc…"
vertical: "Software"
area: "General"
date: "2025-04-28"
last_modified: "2026-08-12"
---

# Editing and handling the .htaccess file

**Coming soon:** SolidWP is becoming Kadence. You may see both names used while we update the product, documentation, and customer experience.

## Why modify the .htaccess file?

The `.htaccess` file lets you control how Apache serves your WordPress site—redirects, permalinks, security rules, caching headers, and more. Modifying it can unlock powerful configuration options, but a small mistake can render your site inaccessible. This guide shows how to safely edit `.htaccess` using common hosting tools.

## What is the .htaccess file?

`.htaccess` is a plain-text configuration file placed in a site’s directory (often the “root” or `public_html` folder). Apache reads it on every request and applies the directives it contains. In a WordPress environment, it typically handles “pretty” permalinks and may include security or performance rules.

## Before you edit

1. **Make a backup**  
    Always download a copy of the existing `.htaccess` file before making changes. If anything goes wrong, you can restore the original and avoid downtime.
2. **Use a code-friendly editor**  
    Edit with a plain-text editor (e.g., Sublime Text, VS Code, Notepad). Avoid word processors like Microsoft Word or Google Docs, which can insert hidden formatting.
3. **Check file visibility**  
    By default, `.htaccess` is hidden. Ensure your FTP client or control panel is set to **show hidden files**.
4. **Test immediately**  
    After saving changes, load your site in a browser. If you see a “500 Internal Server Error,” revert to the backup and inspect for syntax errors.

## Where is the .htaccess file?

- In most setups, it lives in the **root** directory (the same location as `wp-config.php`).
- If WordPress is installed in a subdirectory (e.g., `/blog`), look there.
- If no `.htaccess` exists, WordPress will generate one when you save your permalink settings—then you can download and edit that new file.

## How to edit .htaccess via FTP/SFTP

1. **Obtain credentials**  
    • Hostname, username, password (and port for SFTP).  
    • If in doubt, request them from your hosting provider.
2. **Connect with an FTP/SFTP client**  
    • Recommended: [FileZilla](https://filezilla-project.org/) or any SFTP-capable client.  
    • Enter credentials and connect.
3. **Show hidden files**  
    • In FileZilla: go to `Server ? Force showing hidden files`.  
    • In other clients: check preferences for “show dotfiles.”
4. **Locate the file**  
    • Navigate to your site’s root (often `public_html`, `www`, or the folder named after your domain).  
    • Right-click `.htaccess` and select **Download**.
5. **Edit and upload**  
    • Open the downloaded file in your editor.  
    • Make the desired changes, save, then drag the updated file back to the server—confirming “Overwrite.”

---

## How to edit .htaccess via cPanel

1. **Log in** to your hosting account and open **cPanel**.
2. Select **File Manager**.
3. In File Manager, click **Settings** (top right) and enable **Show Hidden Files (dotfiles)**.
4. Navigate to your site’s root folder (e.g., `public_html`).
5. Right-click `.htaccess` and choose **Download** (or **Edit** for in-line editing).
6. If downloaded, edit locally and then use **Upload** to replace the file. If editing in-line, make changes and click **Save Changes**.

---

## How to edit .htaccess via Plesk

1. **Log in** to Plesk and go to **Websites & Domains**.
2. Click **File Manager** for your domain.
3. Click the **gear icon** or **Settings**, then enable **Show Hidden Files**.
4. Locate the `.htaccess` file in the domain’s root directory.
5. Select it and choose **Download** or **Edit in Text Editor**.
6. After editing locally, upload the revised file; if in-editor, save directly.

---

## How to edit .htaccess via DirectAdmin

1. **Log in** to DirectAdmin and click **File Manager**.
2. Click **Options** (top right) and tick **Show Hidden Files**.
3. Open the folder for your website (e.g., `public_html`).
4. Locate `.htaccess` and use **Download** to edit locally or **Edit** for in-browser changes.
5. Upload the edited file or save changes in the editor.

---

## Things to know about editing the .htaccess file

- **Syntax matters**  
    Missing a single character (e.g., a space, slash, or `<` bracket) can cause a “500 Internal Server Error.”
- **Order of directives**  
    Apache processes rules top-to-bottom. Place redirects before WordPress’s own rewrite block if you want them to run first.
- **Backup plugin**  
    Leverage a reliable backup solution (for example, [Solid Backups — NextGen](https://solidwp.com/backups/)) to create a backup before making changes.
- **File permissions**  
    After uploading, ensure `.htaccess` retains a permission of **644** (owner read/write; group/world read).
- **Testing environment**  
    Whenever possible, make changes in a staging site to catch errors before affecting live users.

Be sure to preserve this section of the .htaccess file:

```
# BEGIN WordPress
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
  RewriteEngine On
  RewriteBase /
  RewriteRule ^index.php$ – [L]
  RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
  RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
  RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
</IfModule>
# END WordPress

```

as it is needed for WordPress to function correctly.