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

Validated on 4 Oct 2022 • Last edited on 18 Nov 2022

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.

Problems with SSH authentication includes permission denied with SSH keys and passwords.
Problems with SSH connectivity include hostname resolution errors and connections being refused or timing out.
Problems during SSH protocol initiation include the client suddenly getting dropped or closed, the client returning errors about cipher negotiation, or issues with an unknown or changed remote host.
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