Download link redirects to root page

The download link for one product's download redirects to the root store/web root. The file is uploaded, and the "light" in the back end is green for that file. I have no idea what's wrong.

Correction; My pub directory (or the randomly generated folder within it) is returning a forbidden error; the .htaccess within pub is default:
#prevent directory browsing -- for security
IndexIgnore /

Options +FollowSymLinks -Indexes

There is no .htaccess within the subfolder.

I swear that I downloaded a file 2 hours prior and it was fine, but now, not. Anyone have any ideas?

The Root folder's HTaccess shows the following (and I haven't changed it since it was working):
RewriteEngine on
DirectoryIndex index.html index.php?main_page=home
Options +FollowSymlinks
Options All -Indexes

<Files 403.shtml>
order allow,deny
allow from all
</Files>

And there are a few IP denys below that, but I deleted them and it didn't make a difference

Even more information:

I manually created a comprable directory within /Pub, and put a zip in it and I am perfectly able to access that, but I can't access the downloads that zencart generates (manually putting in the URL, getting it from the ftp-side). I get a forbidden error.

I'm stumped. Pub has an htaccess but neither folder below it does. I don't get why it's reacting differently. The zen-generated folder and zip have 777 permissions

I have just noticed that the "Owner" in my FTP is different for the Zen-generated folder. Could that be relevant? and if so, how can I get zencart to generate using the proper owner?