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Overview

1. Troubleshooting the error (gcloud.compute.scp) /usr/bin/scp exited with return code 1
2. Common Causes & Fixes of the Error
3. Conclusion

Troubleshooting the error (gcloud.compute.scp) /usr/bin/scp exited with return code 1

When attempting to securely copy files between the local computer and a Google Compute Engine (GCE) instance, the gcloud compute scp command encountered an error, as shown by the error message (gcloud.compute.scp) [/usr/bin/scp] exited with return code 1. Exit code 1 usually means that the command execution failed. This is because of improper routes, authorization problems, or SSH key issues. The gcloud compute scp command has the following basic syntax:

Here,

SOURCE may refer to either a local or remote file that is given as INSTANCE:PATH.

DESTINATION, with the format INSTANCE:PATH, can be either a local or distant path.

Common Causes & Fixes of the Error

1. Permission Issues: When the user does not have the necessary permissions to write to the specified destination directory on the remote instance, the error may happen.

Fix: We must make sure that the user has write permissions to the target directory on the remote instance. We can check permissions using SSH:

gcloud compute ssh INSTANCE_NAME

Then, check the permissions of the target directory:

ls -ld /home/kylefoley76

We can also change the permissions or specify a different destination directory where we have write access if needed.

2. Incorrect File Paths: Improper format of specified path for the source or destination.

Fix: We must double-check the paths we are using in the command. Also, make sure that:

• Local paths are correct.

• Remote paths are prefixed with the instance name (e.g., instance-1:/home/user/).

3. SSH Key Issues: Issues with SSH keys, such missing keys or keys that aren’t reaching the instance.

Fix: We need to regenerate and set up SSH keys.

Run this command to create a new SSH key pair and add it to the instance’s metadata:

gcloud compute ssh INSTANCE_NAME

If the keys already exist but aren’t working, we can remove them with:

rm ~/.ssh/google_compute_engine*

After that, we can try using the gcloud compute scp command again.

4. Firewall or Network Issues: SCP commands can be blocked by firewall rules or network settings.

Fix: Verify that SSH (port 22) is allowed by looking at the firewall rules linked to the GCE instance. Through the Google Cloud Console, we can check and change the firewall rules.

5. Using Incorrect User: Permission problems may arise if the incorrect user is specified when using the gcloud compute scp command.

Fix: We must make sure to refer the right user. In the event that we are not using the default user, add the username to the command:

gcloud compute scp local_file.txt username@instance-1:/path/to/destination

6. Zone Specification: In the event that no zone is provided, the command may fail if the instance is in a different zone or if the default zone is not set.

Fix: We must clearly specify the zone using the –zone flag:

gcloud compute scp local_file.txt instance-1:/path/to/destination --zone us-central1-a

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Conclusion

The error “(gcloud.compute.scp) [/usr/bin/scp] exited with return code 1” indicates a failure when using gcloud compute scp to transfer files between the local machine and a Google Compute Engine (GCE) instance. Common causes include permission issues, incorrect paths, SSH key problems, firewall rules, using the wrong user, or not specifying the correct zone. Fixes from our Techs involve ensuring correct file paths, regenerating SSH keys, adjusting permissions, checking firewall rules, and specifying the correct user and zone in the command.