Why SSH connection refused issue in Vultr happens? In this post, we’ll see the causes and fixes of the error. As part of our Vultr Managed Service, Bobcares provides answers to all of your questions.
Overview
Why SSH Connection Refused in Vultr?
When trying to create an SSH connection to a Vultr server and receiving the “Connection refused” error, it means that the SSH client was unable to connect to the SSH daemon. This issue can result from a variety of causes which can be identified and solved as follows:
Causes
1. SSH Service Not Running: The SSH service (sshd) may be stopped or not properly configured on the server.
2. Firewall Blocking SSH: Firewall rules on the server may be blocking incoming connections to port 22 (the default SSH port).
3. Incorrect IP or Port: The connection may fail if we are trying to connect to the wrong IP address or using an incorrect port number.
4. Server Overload or Down: The server may be overloaded, unresponsive, or down, preventing any connection.
5. SSH Port Changed: If the default SSH port has been changed from 22 to a custom port, and we are not specifying the correct port in the SSH command.
6. Network Issues: Issues with the internet connection, router, or ISP can block outgoing connections to the server.
Solutions
1. Check SSH Service: Ensure that the SSH service is running on the Vultr server:
sudo systemctl status sshd
2. Restart the SSH service if it’s stopped:
sudo systemctl restart sshd
3. Verify Firewall Rules: Ensure that the firewall allows incoming traffic on port 22:
sudo ufw allow 22/tcp
4. Use Correct IP and Port: Double-check the IP address of the Vultr server and the port in the SSH command:
ssh user@your_server_ip -p port_number
5. Check Server Status: Log in to the Vultr control panel and verify that the server is running and not in a shutdown or maintenance state.
6. Confirm SSH Port: If we’ve changed the SSH port from the default 22, connect using the correct custom port:
ssh user@your_server_ip -p custom_port
7. Check Local Network: Ensure that there are no network restrictions or firewall rules on the local machine blocking the SSH connection.
By troubleshooting these common issues, we can identify and fix the “Connection Refused” error when trying to connect to the Vultr server via SSH.
Key Considerations
1. Check SSH Service: Ensure the SSH service (sshd) is running on the server.
2. Firewall Configuration: Verify that firewall rules allow traffic on port 22 (or the custom SSH port).
3. Correct IP and Port: Double-check the server’s IP address and SSH port for accuracy.
4. Server Status: Make sure the server is running, not in maintenance mode or shut down.
5. Custom SSH Port: If using a non-default SSH port, ensure we’re specifying the correct one.
6. Network and ISP Restrictions: Ensure that the local network or ISP isn’t blocking outgoing connections on the SSH port.
7. SSH Key Authentication: Verify that the SSH keys are correctly configured if using key-based authentication.
By keeping these considerations in mind, we can systematically troubleshoot and resolve the SSH connection refusal issue.
An Example
We try to SSH into the Vultr server using the following command:
ssh user@192.168.1.100
But we get the error:
ssh: connect to host 192.168.1.100 port 22: Connection refused
Steps to Troubleshoot:
1. Log in to the Vultr control panel and use the web console to access the server.
2. Run this command to check the SSH service status:
sudo systemctl status sshd
3. If it’s inactive, restart the service:
sudo systemctl restart sshd
4. Verify Firewall Rules: Check the firewall configuration:
sudo ufw status
5. If port 22 is not allowed, add the rule:
sudo ufw allow 22/tcp
6. Use the Correct Port: If SSH uses a non-default port (e.g., 2222), connect with the correct port:
ssh user@192.168.1.100 -p 2222
7. Test Server Connectivity: Use the ping command to check if the server is reachable:
ping 192.168.1.100
8. Check Server Status via Vultr Control Panel: Ensure the server is up and running by checking its status on the Vultr dashboard.
Result:
After verifying that SSH is running and the firewall allows traffic, we successfully reconnect to the server:
ssh user@192.168.1.100
This example walks through practical troubleshooting to resolve an SSH connection refusal issue.
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Conclusion
The “SSH Connection Refused” issue on Vultr can stem from various factors, including SSH service problems, firewall configurations, incorrect IP or port settings, and network issues. To resolve this, ensure the SSH service is running and properly configured on the server, verify that firewall rules allow traffic on the SSH port, and confirm we are using the correct IP address and port for the connection.
Additionally, check that the server is operational and reachable, and troubleshoot any network restrictions that may be affecting the connection. By systematically addressing these aspects, we can effectively resolve the connection issue and restore reliable access to the Vultr server via SSH.
To sum up, our Support team went over the troubleshooting details of SSH connection refused issue in Vultr.
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