The error "Network Error: Software Caused Connection Abort" during a 'MovingGet' operation is typically caused by WinSCP, not PuTTY. This issue arises when the client disconnects prematurely due to network instability, firewall interference, or server-side timeouts. Resolving it requires adjusting transfer settings and verifying network stability between the local machine and the remote host.
Distinguishing Between PuTTY and WinSCP
It is crucial to clarify that PuTTY does not have a command called 'MovingGet'. This terminology belongs to WinSCP, a popular Windows SFTP/SCP client. The confusion often stems from users running multiple terminal and file transfer tools simultaneously. When you see this specific error message associated with 'MovingGet', you are dealing with a WinSCP session failure, not a PuTTY SSH connection drop. While PuTTY handles the interactive shell session, WinSCP manages the file transfers using its own protocol layer. If your PuTTY window remains open but the file transfer fails, the two applications are operating independently. Troubleshooting must focus on the WinSCP configuration and the underlying network path used for the SFTP or SCP protocol, rather than the SSH terminal settings in PuTTY.Adjusting Transfer Settings in WinSCP
The most common cause of this abort error is aggressive timeout settings or buffer issues during large file transfers. You can mitigate this by modifying the session options within WinSCP. First, open your saved sessions list. Select the relevant session and click Edit. Navigate to the Advanced button at the bottom of the dialog box. Here, you will find several settings that impact connection stability.- Timeout: Increase the connection timeout value. The default might be too short if your network has high latency. Try setting it to 30 or 60 seconds.
- Keep Alive: Ensure that keep-alive packets are enabled. This prevents intermediate firewalls from dropping idle connections during long transfers. Set the interval to roughly 15-30 seconds.
- Buffer Size: In some cases, reducing the buffer size can prevent memory allocation errors on constrained servers. However, increasing it may improve throughput on stable networks. Test both approaches.
Firewall and Antivirus Interference
Local security software often intercepts file transfer protocols, causing the "Software Caused Connection Abort" error. This happens because the antivirus or firewall identifies the sudden burst of data as suspicious activity and forcibly closes the socket. Check your local firewall logs to see if WinSCP was blocked. Temporarily disable your antivirus real-time protection and firewall rules to test if the transfer completes successfully. If it does, add an exception for WinSCP in your security software settings. Additionally, corporate networks often use deep packet inspection (DPI) devices. These devices may struggle with encrypted SFTP traffic, especially if the payload is large. If you are on a corporate network, contact your IT department to ensure that SFTP ports (usually 22) are not being throttled or reset.Server-Side Limitations
Sometimes the issue lies with the remote server rather than your local client. Server administrators may impose limits on concurrent connections or transfer speeds. If the server rejects the connection due to resource constraints, WinSCP will report a software-caused abort. Review the server logs for any entries corresponding to the time of the failure. Look for messages indicating "Too many connections" or "Connection reset by peer." If the server is under heavy load, try transferring files during off-peak hours. You can also verify if the issue is specific to certain files. Large binary files are more likely to trigger timeouts or buffer overflows than small text files. If only specific files fail, check their integrity and permissions on the remote server. For more insights on managing remote connections and troubleshooting similar network errors, you might find Google Cloud VM and Putty: Network Error 'Software caused connection abort' - Troubleshooting helpful. It covers broader strategies for maintaining stable SSH sessions which often share underlying network diagnostics.Alternative Transfer Methods
If adjusting WinSCP settings does not resolve the issue, consider using alternative methods for moving files. Command-line tools likescp or sftp available in modern Windows versions (via OpenSSH) can sometimes bypass GUI-specific bugs.
Open PowerShell or Command Prompt and use the following syntax:
scp source_file.txt user@hostname:/destination/path/Verifying Network Stability
Finally, ensure that your local network connection is stable. Use ping tests to check for packet loss between your machine and the remote server. High packet loss can cause intermittent drops in the SFTP stream, leading to abort errors. If you are using Wi-Fi, switch to a wired Ethernet connection for large transfers. Wireless networks are prone to interference and signal drops, which are less tolerable for continuous file streams. Also, restart your router and modem to clear any cached network states that might be affecting performance.Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the error mention 'Software Caused'?
This phrase indicates that the termination was initiated by one of the endpoints (client or server) rather than a physical network break. It usually means a timeout occurred, a firewall dropped the packet, or the application crashed. Checking logs on both sides helps identify which software component caused the abort.
Can I fix this by changing the SSH port?
Changing the SSH port rarely solves this specific error unless the current port is blocked by a strict firewall. Most firewalls allow standard port 22 or configured alternatives. If you suspect port blocking, consult your network administrator about allowed ports before changing the client configuration.
Does enabling compression help with this error?
Enabling compression in WinSCP reduces bandwidth usage but increases CPU load. While it may speed up transfers, it does not directly address connection aborts caused by timeouts or network drops. Focus on timeout and keep-alive settings first before toggling compression.
Is this error related to DNS resolution failures?
No, DNS failures would prevent the connection from establishing initially, resulting in a "Host not found" error. The 'Software Caused Connection Abort' occurs after the connection is established but fails during data transfer. Verify your hostname resolves correctly using nslookup before starting the transfer.
What should I do if only one specific file fails?
If only one file fails, the issue is likely file corruption or permission-related. Check the file's integrity on the source machine and ensure the destination directory has write permissions. Try renaming the file or splitting it into smaller parts to isolate the problem.