Connecting to Your VPS over SSH Print

SSH is how you administer a Linux VPS. Here is how to connect from any platform.

From Windows

Windows 10 and 11 include an SSH client. Open PowerShell or Terminal and run:

ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP

PuTTY is an alternative: enter the IP, keep port 22, and click Open.

From macOS or Linux

ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP

Accept the host key fingerprint the first time, then enter your root password.

Switching to key-based login

1. Generate a key pair on your own machine: ssh-keygen -t ed25519
2. Copy the public key to the server: ssh-copy-id root@YOUR_SERVER_IP
3. Test that you can log in without a password.
4. Only then, set PasswordAuthentication no in /etc/ssh/sshd_config and reload SSH.

Never skip step 3 — disabling passwords before the key works locks you out.

Changing the SSH port

Edit Port in /etc/ssh/sshd_config, allow the new port in your firewall before restarting SSH, then reload. Keep the existing session open until you have confirmed the new port works.

If you cannot connect

• Connection refused — the SSH service is not running, or the port is wrong
• Connection timed out — a firewall is blocking you, or the server is down
• Permission denied — wrong username, password or key
• Host key changed warning — expected after a reinstall; remove the old entry from ~/.ssh/known_hosts

Locked out entirely? Use the console or rescue mode from your VPS control panel, or open a ticket.