How to Troubleshoot SFTPError: No such file: File Existence and Path Issues in Paramiko

SFTPError: No such file means the file doesn’t exist. This relates to incorrect file paths. This tutorial explains how to resolve this.

Understanding the Error

This error occurs when Paramiko cannot find the specified file. This usually involves incorrect file paths. It is a common SFTP issue.

Common Causes

Typographical errors in file paths are frequent. Relative paths can also cause problems. Verify paths carefully before transferring.

Handling the SFTPError

Use try-except blocks to catch the SFTPError. This prevents program termination due to errors. It allows for error handling.

import paramiko

try:
    ssh = paramiko.SSHClient()
    ssh.set_missing_host_key_policy(paramiko.AutoAddPolicy())
    ssh.connect("your_hostname", username="your_username", password="your_password")
    sftp = ssh.open_sftp()
    sftp.get('/incorrect/path/file.txt', 'local_file.txt') # Likely to raise SFTPError
    sftp.close()
    ssh.close()
except paramiko.sftp_client.SFTPError as e:
    if e.errno == 2: # Check if the error number is 2 (No such file)
        print(f"File not found: {e}")
    else:
        print(f"SFTPError: {e}") # Handle other SFTP errors
except Exception as e:
    print(f"Other error: {e}")

Verifying the Remote File Path

Double-check the remote file path for accuracy. Use an SSH client to list directory contents. This helps ensure the file exists.

Using Absolute Paths

Use absolute paths whenever possible for clarity. This avoids ambiguity with relative paths. It is a good coding practice.

# Example of absolute path
sftp.get('/full/path/to/the/file.txt', 'local_file.txt')

Checking Directory Existence

Ensure all directories in the path exist. The error can occur if a parent directory is missing. This is important for nested paths.

Handling Relative Paths Carefully

If using relative paths, understand the current working directory. The working directory affects how relative paths resolve. Use them with care.

Logging for Debugging

Implement logging to record error details. This helps diagnose complex path-related problems. It is useful for debugging production issues.

import logging
import paramiko

logging.basicConfig(filename='sftp_errors.log', level=logging.ERROR)

try:
    # ... (SFTP operations) ...
except paramiko.sftp_client.SFTPError as e:
    logging.error(f"SFTPError: {e}")
except Exception as e:
    logging.exception("An unexpected error occurred:")