Troubleshoot VPS access

Resolve SSH failures without exposing credentials or weakening server security.

Capture only sanitized SSH output when asking for help.

Connection refused

• Confirm the IP and SSH port.
• Confirm the VPS is active.
• Check provider firewall and server firewall.
• Verify the SSH service is running through provider console access when available.

Permission denied

• Confirm the username.
• Confirm the correct private key is used.
• Check private-key file permissions.
• Confirm the public key is in the correct account.
• Avoid enabling password login globally as the first response.

Host key changed

Verify that the server was rebuilt or the IP reassigned before removing the old host key. An unexpected change can indicate a security problem.