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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →When SSH cannot reach a VPS, check the connection in layers: confirm the instance and current IP address, test the configured TCP port, inspect provider and server firewalls, verify that the SSH service is listening, and only then troubleshoot the username or key. If SSH is unavailable, use your hosting provider’s web or serial console to inspect the server.
1. Confirm the VPS is running and the address is current
In your hosting control panel, check that the VPS is powered on and has finished starting. Confirm its current public IP address; an instance may have a different address after a reinstall or move, depending on the provider. If you connect through a hostname, check that its DNS record points to the intended address. Hostinger describes these address checks in its VPS SSH troubleshooting guide; its workflow is specific to Hostinger, so control-panel labels and address-change policies vary elsewhere.
2. Use the error message to choose the next check
Record the complete error and the host and port used in the command. The message is a clue about which connection layer to investigate, not proof of a single cause.
| Error | What it suggests | Where to look next |
|---|---|---|
Connection timed out |
The connection did not complete. The address may be wrong or unreachable, or a network rule or service may be preventing a response. | Check the IP or DNS, public route, provider firewall or security list, VPS firewall, client network, and configured SSH port. |
Connection refused |
The destination responded, but the requested port is not accepting the connection. | Check whether sshd is running and listening on that address and port, and whether provider and host rules allow the configured port. |
Permission denied (publickey,...) |
The SSH service was reached, but login authentication or an attempted command was not accepted. | Check the username, selected private key, matching authorized public key, and server authentication policy. Opening more network ports is not the remedy for this error. |
Cloud firewall behavior and network paths can affect the error a client displays. Confirm the diagnosis with a port test and, when possible, server-side inspection. Google Cloud’s SSH troubleshooting guidance and Oracle’s instance troubleshooting guidance describe timeout and reachability checks for their respective platforms.
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3. Test the actual SSH port from your computer
Port 22 is common, but an administrator may have configured another port. Test the port in your SSH command or server configuration—not automatically 22. These examples test TCP reachability only; a successful result does not confirm that the username or key will authenticate.
- Linux or macOS:
nc <public-ip> 22(replace22with the configured port). Oracle documents this form for OCI instances. - Windows PowerShell:
Test-NetConnection -ComputerName <host> -Port 22; replace the host and port as needed. Microsoft documents this command for checking connectivity. - Windows PowerShell alternative:
tnc <public-ip> -p 22, an Oracle-documented OCI example.
If the test fails, continue with network and service checks. If it succeeds but SSH login fails, proceed to authentication. The commands above come from Oracle’s OCI troubleshooting documentation and Microsoft’s TCP/IP troubleshooting documentation; adapt the host and port to your setup.
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4. Check every firewall and network boundary
Rules at the hosting provider and rules inside the VPS are separate controls. Both may need to allow inbound TCP traffic on the SSH port. Also consider whether the VPS has a public route, sits behind a private subnet, or requires a bastion or proxy, and whether a client-side firewall, router, or NAT is blocking the connection.
- In the provider control panel, inspect the firewall, security group, or security list associated with the VPS and its network.
- On the VPS, inspect the operating-system firewall rules for the same port.
- Verify that any subnet, routing, or access-control rules permit traffic from your client to the instance.
- If you use a custom SSH port, make sure the service configuration and both provider-level and host-level rules agree on that port.
Avoid permanently allowing SSH from every address as a generic troubleshooting fix. Where possible, restrict access to trusted client IP addresses. Google Cloud and Oracle explain their own provider-specific firewall and subnet controls in their Google Cloud SSH guide and OCI instance guide; Microsoft recommends limiting SSH exposure where possible in its Windows OpenSSH guidance.
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5. Verify that the SSH daemon is running and listening
If network rules appear correct, inspect the server through the provider console. Confirm that the SSH daemon is running and bound to the address and port you intend to use. A server still booting, a stopped or misconfigured daemon, or a mismatch between the daemon’s port and allowed firewall ports can all prevent a connection.
Commands differ across operating systems and distributions. Do not run Windows service commands on a Linux VPS. For Windows OpenSSH, Microsoft documents checking the service with Get-Service -Name sshd, validating configuration with sshd -t, checking the listener, and restarting the service after a valid change. Follow the instructions for your server’s operating system and installed OpenSSH version; Microsoft’s Windows OpenSSH guide covers the Windows-specific workflow.
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6. If the port responds, troubleshoot login authentication
Once TCP reachability is established, check the login details rather than changing firewall rules:
- Confirm the username expected by the specific image or provider. Default usernames vary; Hostinger’s
rootexample is not a universal default. - Confirm that your SSH client is selecting the intended private key. If needed, explicitly specify the key with your client’s supported option.
- Verify that the matching public key is installed in the account’s authorized keys on the VPS.
- Review the server’s authentication policy and logs for the reason the login was rejected.
OpenSSH configuration options and defaults can differ across versions and distributions. The OpenSSH manual also cautions that DEBUG-level logging can expose user privacy and is not recommended as a routine setting; avoid enabling it casually. See the Linux man-pages reference for sshd_config and Debian’s trixie sshd_config manual.
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7. Recover through a provider console if SSH is down
When SSH cannot carry a session, use an out-of-band access method offered by the host—typically a web console, serial console, or equivalent. From there, check the server’s boot state, daemon status, listening port, firewall, and logs. Hostinger documents dashboard web-console access in its VPS troubleshooting guide; Google Cloud documents serial-console recovery for its instances in its SSH troubleshooting guide. Console availability and steps depend on the provider and instance configuration.
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