Related

Is it possible to configure an sftp user for uploading and editing but NOT downloading files? Question Question
Set umask for another user Question Question

Question

Powered off my VPS, now can't SSH in

Posted March 26, 2017 1.8k views
SecurityUbuntu 16.04

I powered off my droplet from the command line to do a snapshot. After powering back up I can’t ssh in. PuTTY gives me a “Server refused our key” error and prompts for password of the root user (providing the password doesn’t get me in either, it says “Access denied”). Any idea what’s happened?

Add a comment
nathanscherneck
By:
nathanscherneck
Add a comment

These answers are provided by our Community. If you find them useful, show some love by clicking the heart. If you run into issues leave a comment, or add your own answer to help others.

×
2 answers
hansen March 26, 2017

@nathanscherneck
No, not sure what has happened. Did you do update or major changes since last reboot?
Go to the control panel, click the droplet, click Access-menu, click reset root password.

Reply Report
  • nathanscherneck March 26, 2017

    I’ve reset the root password, and can access the droplet through the DO console, but not through PuTTY. Didn’t update anything, just did a snapshot and powered back on.

    Reply Report
    • hansen March 26, 2017

      Okay, if you cannot access through SSH, but the DO console works, then it’s a problem with keys, so clean out the keys in PuTTY and maybe even on the server, and set them up again.

      Reply Report
gc948486cbc56b8 March 28, 2017

I also found myself in a situation where I couldn’t log into a powered up droplet. I have no idea what I did for get in that situation since the droplet was working fine when I shut it down and took a snapshot.

I’ve made it a point to store two snapshots. Also when I take a snapshot, I restore the droplet from that snapshot. That way I know the snapshot is bootable. I suppose one snapshot is enough if you proved it was bootable.

Reply Report
Submit an Answer

Related

Looking for something else?

Ask a new question Search for more help