Fix the SSH "Connection refused" error

What is SSH?

SSH is a safe way to type commands on a faraway server. The server runs a small program called sshd that listens for SSH visits on a numbered door called a port. The usual port is 22. "Refused" means that door is closed or nobody is listening.

Step 1: Check the details

1. Check the server IP address in your welcome email.
2. Check the port. Some servers use a port other than 22.
3. Try again with the port set:

ssh -p 22 username@YOUR_SERVER_IP

The -p option tells SSH which port to use. Replace 22 if your port is different.

Step 2: Check that SSH is allowed on your plan

Some shared hosting plans keep SSH off until it is enabled. If you are on shared hosting, check cPanel for an SSH Access page. If you cannot find it, ask Hostvento support whether SSH is on your plan.

Step 3: Check that the service is running

If you have root access on a VPS or dedicated server, use the web console from your provider or another way in to log in. Then run:

systemctl status sshd

On Debian or Ubuntu the name may be ssh. If it is not running, start it:

systemctl start sshd

To make it start after reboots, run systemctl enable sshd.

Step 4: Check the firewall

A firewall is a guard that decides which doors are open. It may block port 22.

1. Run ss -tlnp | grep ssh on the server to see the port SSH really uses.
2. Open that port in your firewall tool, for example CSF, firewalld or UFW.
3. Check that your own IP is not blocked. Too many wrong passwords can get an IP banned for a while.

Step 5: Ask for help

Still stuck? Open a ticket at https://secure.hostvento.com/submitticket.php. Include the exact error text, your IP address and the time you tried.

Quick recap

• "Refused" means the SSH door is closed or no program is listening.

  

• Check the IP and port first.
• Make sure SSH is enabled and the service is running.
• Check the firewall for blocks.