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Ulysses WordPress 'Failed to Connect' Error

Workaround available macOS, iOS, iPadOS Updated October 21, 2026

Quick answer

Ulysses publishes to WordPress over XML-RPC. 'Failed to connect. Please verify the URL of your blog' usually means your host, server config or a security plugin blocks xmlrpc.php. Allow XML-RPC (and use HTTPS), then add the blog again.

Most likely fix: Enable XML-RPC on your host.

Symptoms

Adding a WordPress account in Ulysses fails with 'Failed to connect. Please verify the URL of your blog' or the login is rejected.

Why it happens

  • Host or server config blocks xmlrpc.php
  • Security plugin or fail2ban blocking XML-RPC
  • Site not served over HTTPS / missing HTTP-to-HTTPS redirect
  • Wrong blog URL

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

  1. 1. Enable XML-RPC on your host

    1. Check your hosting provider's docs for enabling XML-RPC
    2. Remove any nginx/Apache rule that denies access to xmlrpc.php
    3. Whitelist XML-RPC in your security plugin

  2. 2. Rule out fail2ban or firewall blocks

    1. On one-click WordPress droplets, temporarily stop fail2ban and try connecting again
    2. If it works, add an exception for your IP

  3. 3. Use HTTPS

    1. Make sure the site has a valid certificate and redirects HTTP to HTTPS
    2. Enter the https:// URL when adding the blog in Ulysses

  4. 4. Update Ulysses

    1. Recent versions shipped WordPress login fixes - update from the App Store and retry

This guide also covers

  • ulysses wordpress failed to connect
  • ulysses wordpress login error
  • ulysses xmlrpc
  • ulysses publish to wordpress not working

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