Viewing your .htaccess file can be a great way to troubleshoot common problems, however sometimes your FTP client or chosen File Manager won't show your .htaccess file by default.

All that you need to do is to enable "View Hidden Files/Folders" in your FTP program's settings.

Configuring your FTP client to show hidden files is a process that differs significantly from each FTP client. Instructions for doing so using many popular FTP clients and online File Managers can be found below:


In The cPanel Filemanager

Step 1: Log into cPanel and click on the "File Manager" icon.

Step 2: In the top right of the page click on "Settings".

Step 3: Select "Show Hidden Files (dotfiles)" and click on "Save".


In CuteFTP

Step 1: Go to Sitemanager.

Step 2: Choose the connection and click edit.

Step 3: Make sure filters is checked.

Step 4: Press the filter button towards the bottom.

Step 5: Check [Enable remote filters (Server applied filter)]

Step 6: In the box below add -al

Step 7: Hit apply, now log in with that connection.


In WSFTP

Right click on the connection before logging on, select "properties", then select the "startup" tab. On this screen you shall see a box that says "Remote file mask". In this box place "-al", then log in.


In Fetch

Step 1: Open the Preferences.

Step 2: Click on the 'Misc' tab

Step 3: Click on the 'Obscure Options' popup menu.

Step 4: Check the 'Send LIST -al to UNIX servers'


In BBEdit

Click the checkbox that says 'Show Files Starting with "."'


In Transmit

Step 1: Open the Preferences.

Step 2: Click on 'Files' in the Toolbar.

Step 3: Check the box that says 'Show all Hidden Files."


In FTP Voyager

Step 1: Select a profile in the FTP Site Profile Manager.

Step 2: Click on the 'Advanced' button.

Step 3: Select the category 'Connection'.

Step 4: Enter "-la" in the Extra LIST Parameter.


In SecureFX

Step 1: Right click on the connection before logging on.

Step 2: Select "properties".

Step 3: Select Category > Options > FTP.

Step 4: On this screen you shall see a box that says "Directory Listing Options". Select the option "All entries", then log in.


In LeechFTP

Step 1: Run Leech FTP

Step 2: Select "File", "Options"

Step 3: Select "Transfers" tab

Step 4: In the "List Command" box enter "LIST-a" (no quotes)

Step 5: Click "Accept"

Step 6: Log in and view directory, all is well.


In Internet Explorer

Login to your ftp site

In the menu bar, click Tools -> Folder Options

Click tab "View"

Under Files and Folders is a section called "Hidden Files and Folders"

Click "Show hidden files and folders"

In Dreamweaver

Dreamweaver won't display hidden files in Site View. You can either use another FTP program or you can use your filemanager.