When I try to log in to SSH I get a Permission Denied error

There are a few reasons why you could be getting a “Permission Denied” error when attempting to log in using SSH. If you receive this error, check for the following issues:

• The password is incorrect
• The SSH key is missing on your local computer or on the Droplet
• You are trying to use a password, but PasswordAuthentication is disabled in sshd_config
• You are trying to use an SSH key, but key based authentication is disabled in sshd_config
• The authorized_keys file has the wrong permissions 

If you’ve checked for all of these conditions and are still receiving a “Permission Denied” error, you can use the Recovery Console to regain SSH access.

Related Topics

How do I change my Droplet's SSH port?

Edit your Droplet’s sshd_config file to change its SSH port.

I lost the SSH key for my Droplet

If you lose the private SSH key you use to log in to a Droplet, you need to re-enable password authentication to recover access.

How to Troubleshoot SSH Authentication Issues

Problems with SSH authentication includes permission denied with SSH keys and passwords.