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When I Try to Log in to SSH, I Get a "Permission Denied" Error

Updated on 15 September, 2025

Troubleshooting guide for resolving SSH Permission denied errors when attempting to access Vultr instances

If you’re receiving a Permission denied error while attempting to log in to your Vultr instance using SSH, the issue is likely related to authentication, file permissions, or server-side SSH configuration.

There are a few common reasons why you may see a "Permission Denied" error when connecting via SSH:

  • The password is incorrect.
  • The SSH key is missing locally or not installed on the instance.
  • Password login is disabled in /etc/ssh/sshd_config.
  • SSH key authentication is disabled in /etc/ssh/sshd_config.
  • The .ssh/authorized_keys file has incorrect permissions or ownership.

If you’ve verified all of the above and still cannot connect, use the Web Console in the Vultr Customer Portal to access and fix the configuration.