Why Your .htaccess File Appears to Disappear After Uploading
On Linux servers, any file that starts with a dot (.) is treated as a hidden file. This means your .htaccess file is there, but your FTP client or file browser may not be showing it by default.
How to See Hidden Files in FileZilla
In FileZilla, go to Server > Force showing hidden files from the top menu. The .htaccess file will then appear in your file listing.
How to See Hidden Files in cPanel File Manager
- Open File Manager in your cPanel control panel
- Click the Settings button in the upper right corner
- Check the box for Show Hidden Files (dotfiles)
- Click Save
You should now see your .htaccess file along with any other hidden files in your directories.
Creating a New .htaccess File
If you need to create a .htaccess file from scratch, the easiest method is through cPanel File Manager. Navigate to the public_html folder, click the +File button, and name it .htaccess (including the leading dot). You can then click on the file and select Edit to add your rules.
Note: Be careful when editing .htaccess files, as a syntax error can make your entire website return a 500 Internal Server Error. Always keep a backup of the original file before making changes.
