Rclone Sync Fails? Fix FTP & TLS Handshake Errors

by Sebastian Müller 50 views

Hey everyone,

I'm running into some tricky issues with my backups and could really use your expertise. I'm currently using Rclone to sync my backups over FTP, but it's been failing quite often. The weird part is that it eventually works after multiple retries. I've been scratching my head trying to figure out what's going on, and I'm hoping someone here might have some insights or suggestions.

Here's the error message I'm seeing in my logs:

/ # borgmatic create
/mnt/borg-repository: Ignoring configured "read_special" value of false, as true is needed for database hooks.
Finished a backup.
2025/08/10 17:34:48 ERROR : data/14: error reading destination directory: list: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:34:48 ERROR : data/0: error reading destination directory: list: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:34:48 ERROR : data/1: error reading destination directory: list: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:34:48 ERROR : data/10: error reading destination directory: list: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:34:48 ERROR : data/3: error reading destination directory: list: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:34:48 ERROR : data/6: error reading destination directory: list: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:34:48 ERROR : data/7: error reading destination directory: list: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:34:49 ERROR : ftp://REDACTED.tld:21/borg_auto_sync: not deleting files as there were IO errors
2025/08/10 17:34:49 ERROR : ftp://REDACTED.tld:21/borg_auto_sync: not deleting directories as there were IO errors
2025/08/10 17:34:49 ERROR : Attempt 1/10 failed with 8 errors and: march failed with 7 error(s): first error: list: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:34:50 ERROR : data/14/14424: Failed to copy: Put mkParentDir failed: mkdir "/borg_auto_sync/data/14" failed: findItem: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:34:51 ERROR : data/14/14426: Failed to copy: Put mkParentDir failed: mkdir "/borg_auto_sync/data/14" failed: findItem: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:34:51 ERROR : data/14/14427: Failed to copy: Put mkParentDir failed: mkdir "/borg_auto_sync/data/14" failed: findItem: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:34:51 ERROR : data/8: error reading destination directory: list: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:34:51 ERROR : ftp://REDACTED.tld:21/borg_auto_sync: not deleting files as there were IO errors
2025/08/10 17:34:51 ERROR : ftp://REDACTED.tld:21/borg_auto_sync: not deleting directories as there were IO errors
2025/08/10 17:34:51 ERROR : Attempt 2/10 failed with 4 errors and: list: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:34:52 ERROR : data/14/14424: Failed to copy: Put mkParentDir failed: mkdir "/borg_auto_sync/data/14" failed: findItem: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:34:53 ERROR : data/14/14426: Failed to copy: Put mkParentDir failed: mkdir "/borg_auto_sync/data/14" failed: findItem: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:34:54 ERROR : data/14/14427: Failed to copy: Put mkParentDir failed: mkdir "/borg_auto_sync/data/14" failed: findItem: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:34:54 ERROR : ftp://REDACTED.tld:21/borg_auto_sync: not deleting files as there were IO errors
2025/08/10 17:34:54 ERROR : ftp://REDACTED.tld:21/borg_auto_sync: not deleting directories as there were IO errors
2025/08/10 17:34:54 ERROR : Attempt 3/10 failed with 3 errors and: Put mkParentDir failed: mkdir "/borg_auto_sync/data/14" failed: findItem: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:34:58 ERROR : data/14/14424: Failed to copy: Put mkParentDir failed: mkdir "/borg_auto_sync/data/14" failed: findItem: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:35:00 ERROR : data/14/14426: Failed to copy: Put mkParentDir failed: mkdir "/borg_auto_sync/data/14" failed: findItem: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:35:01 ERROR : data/14/14427: Failed to copy: Put mkParentDir failed: mkdir "/borg_auto_sync/data/14" failed: findItem: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:35:01 ERROR : ftp://REDACTED.tld:21/borg_auto_sync: not deleting files as there were IO errors
2025/08/10 17:35:01 ERROR : ftp://REDACTED.tld:21/borg_auto_sync: not deleting directories as there were IO errors
2025/08/10 17:35:01 ERROR : Attempt 4/10 failed with 3 errors and: Put mkParentDir failed: mkdir "/borg_auto_sync/data/14" failed: findItem: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:35:07 ERROR : data/14/14424: Failed to copy: Put mkParentDir failed: mkdir "/borg_auto_sync/data/14" failed: findItem: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:35:09 ERROR : data/14/14426: Failed to copy: Put mkParentDir failed: mkdir "/borg_auto_sync/data/14" failed: findItem: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:35:10 ERROR : data/14/14427: Failed to copy: Put mkParentDir failed: mkdir "/borg_auto_sync/data/14" failed: findItem: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:35:10 ERROR : ftp://REDACTED.tld:21/borg_auto_sync: not deleting files as there were IO errors
2025/08/10 17:35:10 ERROR : ftp://REDACTED.tld:21/borg_auto_sync: not deleting directories as there were IO errors
2025/08/10 17:35:10 ERROR : Attempt 5/10 failed with 3 errors and: Put mkParentDir failed: mkdir "/borg_auto_sync/data/14" failed: findItem: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:35:16 ERROR : data/14/14426: Failed to copy: Put mkParentDir failed: mkdir "/borg_auto_sync/data/14" failed: findItem: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:35:18 ERROR : data/8: error reading destination directory: list: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:35:20 ERROR : data/14/14427: Failed to copy: Put mkParentDir failed: mkdir "/borg_auto_sync/data/14" failed: findItem: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:35:20 ERROR : ftp://REDACTED.tld:21/borg_auto_sync: not deleting files as there were IO errors
2025/08/10 17:35:20 ERROR : ftp://REDACTED.tld:21/borg_auto_sync: not deleting directories as there were IO errors
2025/08/10 17:35:20 ERROR : Attempt 6/10 failed with 3 errors and: Put mkParentDir failed: mkdir "/borg_auto_sync/data/14" failed: findItem: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:35:23 ERROR : data/8: error reading destination directory: list: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:35:25 ERROR : data/14/14427: Failed to copy: Put mkParentDir failed: mkdir "/borg_auto_sync/data/14" failed: findItem: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:35:25 ERROR : ftp://REDACTED.tld:21/borg_auto_sync: not deleting files as there were IO errors
2025/08/10 17:35:25 ERROR : ftp://REDACTED.tld:21/borg_auto_sync: not deleting directories as there were IO errors
2025/08/10 17:35:25 ERROR : Attempt 7/10 failed with 2 errors and: Put mkParentDir failed: mkdir "/borg_auto_sync/data/14" failed: findItem: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:35:28 ERROR : data/8: error reading destination directory: list: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:35:28 ERROR : ftp://REDACTED.tld:21/borg_auto_sync: not deleting files as there were IO errors
2025/08/10 17:35:28 ERROR : ftp://REDACTED.tld:21/borg_auto_sync: not deleting directories as there were IO errors
2025/08/10 17:35:28 ERROR : Attempt 8/10 failed with 1 errors and: list: failed to make FTP connection to "REDACTED.tld:21": tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake
2025/08/10 17:35:28 ERROR : Attempt 9/10 succeeded

The key part of the error seems to be tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake. It suggests there's something going wrong with the TLS handshake during the FTP connection. I'm not entirely sure why this would be happening intermittently. Has anyone encountered this before, or do you have any ideas on how to troubleshoot it?

I'm open to any suggestions, whether it's related to Rclone configuration, FTP server settings, or potential network issues. Thanks in advance for your help!

Understanding the Rclone Sync Errors with FTP and TLS

Alright, let's dive deep into these Rclone sync errors and try to figure out what's causing these intermittent failures. The error message tls: first record does not look like a TLS handshake is the key here. It indicates a problem during the establishment of a secure connection between your Rclone client and the FTP server. To put it simply, the client is trying to initiate a TLS (Transport Layer Security) handshake, which is the process of setting up an encrypted connection, but the server's response isn't what it expects. This can happen for a variety of reasons, and we'll explore the most common ones.

Potential Causes for TLS Handshake Failures

  1. FTP Server Configuration: The first thing we need to check is the FTP server configuration. It's possible that the server isn't correctly configured to handle TLS connections, or that there are conflicting settings. Ensure that your FTP server is set up to support explicit FTPS, which is the standard way to use TLS with FTP. With explicit FTPS, the client first connects to the server over the standard FTP port (21) and then issues a command (usually AUTH TLS or AUTH SSL) to initiate the TLS handshake. If the server is expecting a different type of connection or if TLS is not properly enabled, you'll run into this error. Sometimes, the server might have limitations on the TLS versions or cipher suites it supports, which can also lead to handshake failures if the client and server can't agree on a common set of protocols.

  2. Network Issues: Network-related problems can also be the culprit. Intermittent network connectivity issues, such as packet loss or firewall restrictions, can disrupt the TLS handshake process. If the initial handshake packets don't reach the server or if the server's response is lost, the connection will fail. Firewalls, both on the client and server side, might be interfering with the connection. They might be blocking the ports required for the TLS handshake or performing deep packet inspection that interferes with the encrypted traffic. Additionally, if you're behind a NAT (Network Address Translation) device, it might be necessary to configure port forwarding to ensure that the FTP server can establish the data connections required for file transfers. Network congestion or routing issues can also cause intermittent failures, where the connection succeeds sometimes but fails at other times due to delays or dropped packets.

  3. Rclone Configuration: Your Rclone configuration itself might be the source of the problem. There could be incorrect settings related to the FTP connection, such as the wrong port number, encryption method, or authentication details. Double-check your Rclone configuration file or command-line arguments to ensure that you're using the correct settings for your FTP server. Specifically, make sure that you've specified the correct protocol (FTPS) and encryption options. Rclone has several options for FTP connections, such as --ftp-explicit-tls to enforce explicit FTPS, and you might need to adjust these settings based on your server's configuration. Also, verify that your username and password are correct and that the user has the necessary permissions to access the files and directories you're trying to sync. Sometimes, outdated or incorrect credentials can cause connection failures.

  4. Client-Side Issues: Problems on the client-side, such as the machine running Rclone, can also cause these errors. If the client's system clock is significantly out of sync with the server's clock, it can cause issues with TLS certificate validation. TLS certificates have validity periods, and if the client's clock is incorrect, it might reject a valid certificate. Another potential issue is the client's TLS library or its configuration. Outdated or misconfigured TLS libraries might not support the protocols or cipher suites required by the server. Additionally, if you're running Rclone within a containerized environment like Docker, ensure that the container has the necessary certificates and network access to establish the connection. Resource constraints on the client machine, such as high CPU or memory usage, can also lead to connection timeouts or failures.

  5. FTP Server Overload: In some cases, the FTP server might be overloaded and unable to handle new connections. If the server is experiencing high traffic or resource utilization, it might reject new connection attempts, leading to TLS handshake failures. This is more likely to happen during peak usage times or if the server's hardware resources are insufficient. Check the server's logs and resource usage metrics to see if there are any signs of overload. If this is the case, you might need to upgrade the server's hardware, optimize its configuration, or implement traffic shaping measures to prevent overload.

Troubleshooting Steps to Resolve Rclone Sync Errors

To effectively troubleshoot these Rclone sync errors, a systematic approach is essential. Here’s a breakdown of steps you can take to diagnose and resolve the issue:

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

1. Verify FTP Server Configuration

The initial step in resolving the TLS handshake error is to meticulously verify the FTP server's configuration. You need to ensure that the server is correctly set up to handle FTPS (FTP over TLS) connections. This involves several key checks:

  • TLS Support: Confirm that the FTP server has TLS enabled. Most FTP server software provides options to explicitly enable or disable TLS. Look for settings related to SSL/TLS in the server's configuration panel or configuration files. Ensure that TLS is enabled and that the server is configured to accept secure connections.
  • Explicit vs. Implicit FTPS: Understand the difference between explicit and implicit FTPS. Explicit FTPS (also known as FTPES) is the more common and recommended approach. In explicit FTPS, the client initially connects to the server on the standard FTP port (21) and then issues a command (usually AUTH TLS or AUTH SSL) to upgrade the connection to a secure TLS connection. Implicit FTPS, on the other hand, uses a different port (typically 990) for secure connections right from the start. Rclone usually works best with explicit FTPS, so ensure your server is configured accordingly.
  • Port Configuration: Check the FTP server's port configuration. While the standard control port for FTP is 21, the data ports used for file transfers can vary. FTPS often requires a range of ports to be open for data connections. Ensure that these ports are correctly configured on the server and that they are not blocked by any firewalls.
  • TLS Versions and Cipher Suites: Investigate the TLS versions and cipher suites supported by the server. Outdated TLS versions (like SSLv3 or TLS 1.0) are insecure and should be disabled. Ensure that the server supports at least TLS 1.2 or TLS 1.3, which are the current recommended versions. Also, check the cipher suites enabled on the server. Cipher suites are algorithms used for encryption, and the client and server must agree on a common cipher suite for the TLS handshake to succeed. If there is a mismatch in supported cipher suites, the handshake can fail.
  • Server Logs: Examine the FTP server logs. The server logs can provide valuable insights into connection attempts, errors, and other relevant information. Look for any error messages related to TLS handshakes, certificate issues, or connection failures. These logs can often pinpoint the exact cause of the problem.

2. Review Rclone Configuration

Next, it's essential to meticulously review your Rclone configuration to ensure that it aligns with your FTP server's settings and best practices. Incorrect Rclone settings can often lead to connection issues, especially with TLS. Here’s what you should examine:

  • Connection Type: Verify that you've correctly specified the connection type in your Rclone configuration. When connecting to an FTPS server, you should use the ftp backend in Rclone, but you need to configure it to use TLS. This typically involves using the --ftp-explicit-tls flag or setting the explicit_tls option to true in your Rclone configuration file. If you're using implicit FTPS (which is less common), you might need to specify a different port and enable implicit TLS.
  • Address and Port: Double-check the server address and port number in your Rclone configuration. An incorrect address or port can obviously prevent Rclone from connecting to the server. Ensure that the address is correctly typed and that the port number matches the FTP server's configuration. The default FTP port is 21, but FTPS might use a different port, so verify this setting.
  • Username and Password: Ensure that the username and password you're using in your Rclone configuration are correct. Incorrect credentials are a common cause of connection failures. Double-check for typos and ensure that the user account has the necessary permissions to access the files and directories you're trying to sync.
  • Advanced Options: Look into advanced Rclone options that might affect the FTP connection. For example, Rclone has options to control the number of connections, the timeout settings, and the size of the buffer used for transfers. Incorrect values for these options can sometimes lead to connection issues. If you've made any custom changes to these settings, try reverting them to the defaults to see if it resolves the problem.

3. Investigate Network Connectivity

Problems with network connectivity can often be the root cause of TLS handshake failures. A stable and reliable network connection is crucial for establishing a secure connection between your Rclone client and the FTP server. Here’s how to investigate network issues:

  • Basic Connectivity Tests: Start with basic connectivity tests to ensure that your client machine can reach the FTP server. Use tools like ping and traceroute to check if you can reach the server's IP address and to identify any potential network bottlenecks or routing issues. If ping fails, it indicates a fundamental connectivity problem that needs to be resolved before you can proceed. traceroute can help you identify the path your traffic is taking and pinpoint any network hops where delays or failures are occurring.
  • Firewall Configuration: Examine your firewall configuration on both the client and server sides. Firewalls can block connections if they are not properly configured to allow FTP and FTPS traffic. Ensure that your firewall rules allow traffic on the necessary ports (typically 21 for FTP control connections and a range of ports for data connections in FTPS). If you're using a software firewall, check its logs to see if it's blocking any connections related to Rclone or FTP. If you're behind a hardware firewall or router, you might need to configure port forwarding to allow incoming connections to the FTP server.
  • NAT Issues: If you are behind a NAT (Network Address Translation) device, such as a home router, it can complicate FTP connections, especially in active mode. NAT devices translate private IP addresses to public IP addresses, which can interfere with the data connections established in FTP. To resolve this, you might need to configure port forwarding on your router to forward the necessary ports to the FTP server. Alternatively, you can try using passive mode FTP, which is generally more NAT-friendly.
  • Intermittent Connectivity: Look for signs of intermittent connectivity issues. If the connection fails sometimes but succeeds at other times, it suggests a network problem that is not constant. This could be due to network congestion, packet loss, or unstable Wi-Fi. Monitor your network connection for drops or fluctuations in speed. If you suspect Wi-Fi issues, try using a wired connection to see if it improves stability.

4. Check Client-Side Settings

Client-side settings and conditions can significantly impact the success of Rclone sync operations. It's important to verify that the client machine, the one running Rclone, is properly configured and functioning correctly. Here are the key aspects to check:

  • System Clock: Verify that the system clock on your client machine is accurate. TLS connections rely on accurate timekeeping for certificate validation. If your system clock is significantly out of sync with the server's clock, it can cause TLS handshake failures. Ensure that your system is synchronizing its clock with a reliable time server using NTP (Network Time Protocol). You can typically configure NTP settings in your operating system's control panel or system settings.
  • TLS Libraries: Examine the TLS libraries installed on your client machine. Rclone relies on these libraries to handle secure connections. If your TLS libraries are outdated or misconfigured, it can lead to compatibility issues with the FTP server. Ensure that you have the latest versions of your TLS libraries installed. On Linux systems, this might involve updating packages like OpenSSL. On Windows, ensure that your system has the latest updates installed, as these often include updates to TLS libraries.
  • Resource Constraints: Check for resource constraints on the client machine. If your machine is experiencing high CPU usage, memory pressure, or disk I/O, it can affect Rclone's ability to establish and maintain connections. Monitor your system's resource usage using task manager or system monitoring tools. If you find that resources are constrained, try closing unnecessary applications or processes to free up resources for Rclone. In extreme cases, you might need to upgrade your hardware to provide more resources.
  • Containerization Issues: If you're running Rclone within a containerized environment like Docker, there are additional considerations. Ensure that your container has the necessary certificates and network access to establish the connection. Containers often have their own network namespaces, so you might need to configure network settings within the container to allow it to communicate with the FTP server. Also, verify that the container has access to the system's certificate store, as this is where TLS certificates are stored. If necessary, you might need to mount the system's certificate store into the container or install the required certificates within the container.

5. FTP Server Logs Review

One of the most valuable resources for diagnosing connection issues is the FTP server logs. These logs record detailed information about connection attempts, errors, and other relevant events. Analyzing the server logs can often provide clear insights into the cause of TLS handshake failures. Here’s what you should look for:

  • Error Messages: Search for error messages related to TLS handshakes. The logs might contain specific error codes or messages that indicate why the handshake failed. For example, you might see errors related to certificate validation, cipher suite negotiation, or protocol version mismatches. These error messages can pinpoint the exact cause of the problem.
  • Connection Attempts: Examine the connection attempts in the logs. Look for patterns in the connection attempts. Are the failures happening at specific times of day? Are they correlated with other events on the server? Understanding the timing and frequency of failures can help you identify potential causes. For example, if failures occur during peak usage times, it might indicate a resource contention issue.
  • Authentication Issues: Check for authentication-related errors. If the username or password provided by Rclone is incorrect, the server logs will typically record an authentication failure. Double-check the credentials in your Rclone configuration and ensure that the user account has the necessary permissions to access the files and directories you're trying to sync.
  • Resource Usage: Look for signs of resource exhaustion. If the server is overloaded, it might reject new connections or fail to complete TLS handshakes. The logs might contain messages related to resource limits, such as maximum connection limits or memory exhaustion. If you suspect resource issues, monitor the server's CPU usage, memory usage, and disk I/O to identify bottlenecks.

6. Testing with Different Clients

To further isolate the problem, it's a good idea to test the FTP connection with different clients. This helps determine whether the issue is specific to Rclone or if it's a more general problem with the FTP server or network. Here’s how to approach testing with different clients:

  • Command-Line FTP Client: Use a command-line FTP client, such as the built-in ftp command on Linux or the ftp command in the Windows command prompt. These clients provide a basic way to connect to an FTP server and perform file transfers. Try connecting to your FTP server using a command-line client and performing a simple file transfer. If the command-line client fails to connect, it suggests a general problem with the FTP server or network configuration.
  • Graphical FTP Clients: Try using a graphical FTP client, such as FileZilla or Cyberduck. These clients offer a user-friendly interface and often provide more detailed error messages than command-line clients. Configure the graphical client to connect to your FTP server using FTPS and attempt a file transfer. If the graphical client fails, pay close attention to the error messages it displays. These messages can provide valuable clues about the cause of the problem.
  • Web Browser: Test the connection using a web browser. Most web browsers support FTP and FTPS connections. You can enter the FTP server's address in the browser's address bar (e.g., ftps://your-ftp-server.com) to attempt a connection. If the browser can connect and display the directory listing, it indicates that the basic FTPS connection is working. However, browsers might not support all FTPS features, so this test is not comprehensive.

By testing with different clients, you can narrow down the source of the issue. If all clients fail to connect, it suggests a problem with the FTP server or network. If only Rclone fails, it points to a configuration issue or bug in Rclone.

7. Contacting Support

If you've tried all the troubleshooting steps and are still unable to resolve the issue, don't hesitate to contact support for assistance. Whether it's the support team for your FTP server software, your hosting provider, or the Rclone community, getting expert help can save you time and frustration. Here’s how to approach contacting support effectively:

  • Gather Information: Before contacting support, gather as much information about the issue as possible. This includes error messages, logs, configuration files, and details about your setup. The more information you can provide, the better the support team will be able to understand the problem and assist you.
  • Describe the Problem Clearly: When you contact support, describe the problem clearly and concisely. Explain what you're trying to do, what you've already tried, and what the results were. Be specific about the error messages you're seeing and the steps you've taken to troubleshoot the issue.
  • Provide Logs and Configuration Files: Include relevant logs and configuration files in your support request. This can provide the support team with valuable context and help them identify the cause of the problem. Be sure to redact any sensitive information, such as passwords, before sharing logs and configuration files.
  • Be Patient and Responsive: Be patient and responsive with the support team. They might need to ask you additional questions or try different solutions. Respond promptly to their requests and provide any additional information they need. Remember that support teams are often dealing with many requests, so it might take some time to resolve your issue.

By following these detailed troubleshooting steps, you’ll be well-equipped to diagnose and resolve most Rclone sync failures related to FTP and TLS. Remember to approach the process systematically and methodically, and don't hesitate to seek help from the community or support teams when needed.

Final Thoughts on Rclone and FTP Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Rclone sync failures can sometimes feel like detective work, but by systematically checking each potential cause, you can usually find the culprit. Remember to focus on the error messages, as they often provide the most direct clues. In the case of TLS handshake errors, carefully examine your FTP server's configuration, Rclone's settings, your network connectivity, and the client-side environment. And, of course, don't underestimate the power of consulting the logs! With a bit of patience and persistence, you'll get your backups running smoothly again. If you guys have any more questions or run into other snags, feel free to ask – that’s what the community is here for!