SSH, or Secure Shell, is a network protocol that makes it easy for you to connect to a remote computer securely. Sometimes, when you try to access SSH, you might encounter a “connection refused” error. This error can be frustrating and confusing but do not worry—we will go through some simple solutions to fix the SSH “connection refused” error.  

Let’s understand what SSH is and then how to fix the “connection refused” error.  

What is SSH and How Can You Use It?  

As mentioned, SSH is a network protocol for safe communication between two computers on an unsecured network. SSH establishes a secure connection between your device and a remote machine by encrypting data during transmission. This makes it a safe way to transfer data and files between computers.  

You will need to install SSH on your computer to initiate communication. You  

can use an SSH client on your computer to connect to a remote server and transfer data.  

You can connect to a remote server through a graphical interface or by typing commands. 

Now that you know what SSH is, it is time to understand the “connection refused” error.  

What is the “Connection Refused” Error?  

When you encounter a “connection refused” error, it means that your attempt to connect to the SSH server has failed. Thus, preventing you from creating a secure connection and performing tasks like file transfers and others.  

The “connection refused” error on the SSH server occurs due to these reasons:  

  • Incorrect SSH port settings 
  • Wrong credentials (like username or password) 
  • The SSH service is disabled on the server  
  • SSH is not installed on your computer  
  • Your firewall is preventing SSH connection  

Fixing these issues can help resolve the “connection refused” error and allow you to establish a successful SSH connection.  

How to Fix SSH Connection Refused Error 

Here are some ways in which you can fix the “connection refused” error:  

Check if an SSH Server is Installed on Your Computer  

You might get the “connection refused” error if the SSH server is not installed on your computer. To resolve this, you should enable the SSH service on your computer.  

Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the process: 

  1. Open the settings section of your computer. 
  2. Go to “Apps” and click on “Apps and Features.” 
  3. Click on “Manage optional features.” 
  4. Select “OpenSSH Server” and click “Install.” 
  5. Restart your computer to start using the SSH server. 

Check the SSH Port Number  

Normally, an SSH connection operates on port 22. However, sometimes port number 22 could be closed due to security reasons or if it has been unused for a long time, leading to a “connection refused” error.  

So, before connecting to the remote server, make sure that the SSH port is open. (While port 22 is the default SSH port, some servers might use a different port for security reasons. It is important to check the correct port for your server.) 

There are separate ways to see if port 22 is open for SSH connections. For instance, you can run ‘telnet 22’ in your terminal. If the port is open, you will see a successful connection message.  

Recheck Your Credentials  

Sometimes you might receive a “connection refused” error due to invalid login credentials. Therefore, recheck the following details when you get the “connection refused” error: 

  1. Hostname: This could be your domain name or the IP address of your server 
  2. Username: Enter your username 
  3. Port: This could be the default port 22 or any other port that you are using for communication  
  4. Password: This is your account password 

Install SSH Client  

SSH client software enables you to securely connect to remote servers or devices using SSH protocol. Besides that, SSH client software allows smooth file transfers and tunneling. Thus, SSH client software is essential for system administrators, developers, and anyone managing remote servers.  

To set up an SSH client on your device, first open your computer’s settings page. Navigate to Apps on the sidebar and then click on optional features. After that, press the view features button and select the OpenSSH client checkbox. Lastly, click next to install the software. This will allow you to establish a secure connection with a remote server.  

Install SSH Daemon 

SSH Daemon is a server program that facilitates secure remote access to a system using SSH protocols. It runs on the server side and listens for incoming SSH connections. When you attempt to connect to a remote server using an SSH client, your device sends a request to the server’s SSH daemon. Therefore, if an SSH daemon is not installed, you can get the “connection refused” error.  

Most hosting providers have a pre-installed SSH daemon on their server, making it easier to form a connection. However, if your SSH daemon’s status is ‘down,’ you should contact your hosting provider to address the issue. 

Check Your Firewall Settings  

There are chances that your computer’s firewall can block an SSH connection. To prevent you firewall from blocking an SSH connection, it is imperative to manage your firewall settings. If you see the iptables settings as ‘Reject’ or ‘Drop,’ enable iptables on the server and update the SSH port settings to ‘Accept.’ You can do this by running a simple command—“service iptables save”—on your terminal.  

Conclusion  

“Connection refused” is a common type of issue that you may face when trying to connect to a server remotely. Using the above-mentioned ways, you can fix the “connection refused” error on your SSH server.  However, if none of these solutions works, the issue may lie with your hosting provider. Reach out to your support team to resolve the “connection refused” error.  

In case you have any doubts, queries, or feedback for this article, please share them in the comments section below.