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Can't SSH Into Linode: Connection Refused or Timed Out

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Workaround available Linux, Cloud Manager Updated November 14, 2026Based on 4 user reportsHow we research

Quick answer

SSH fails when sshd is stopped, another service holds the port, SSH runs on a non-standard port, or a firewall (iptables, UFW, fail2ban) blocks you. Open Lish, check sshd and the firewall rules.

Most likely fix: Check connectivity, then open Lish

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

  1. 1. Check connectivity, then open Lish

    1. Ping the Linode IP. If ping fails, use the 'Linode unreachable' guide first
    2. In Cloud Manager open the Linode and click Launch LISH Console (Weblish)
    3. Log in as root or your user (Lish does not need the network)
    Did this fix it?

  2. 2. Check and restart sshd

    1. Run sudo systemctl status sshd -l
    2. If stopped: sudo systemctl restart sshd
    3. If it will not start: sudo journalctl -u sshd -u ssh
    4. If the log says 'Address already in use', stop the other service or bind SSH to another port in /etc/ssh/sshd_config
    Did this fix it?

  3. 3. Find a non-standard port

    1. Run sudo netstat -plntu | grep ssh
    2. Connect with ssh user@IP -p PORT
    Did this fix it?

  4. 4. Check the firewall

    1. Run sudo iptables-save and sudo ip6tables-save, or sudo ufw status / sudo firewall-cmd --state
    2. Make sure incoming TCP on your SSH port is allowed for NEW connections
    3. Chains starting with f2b or fail2ban mean fail2ban may have banned your IP: unban it from Lish
    4. Also check any Cloud Firewall attached to the Linode in Cloud Manager
    Did this fix it?

Symptoms

ssh: connect to host ... port 22: Connection refused, or the connection hangs and times out, or you get disconnected after a few failed attempts.

Why it happens

  • The SSH daemon is not running
  • Another service is already using port 22 (Address already in use)
  • SSH was moved to a non-standard port
  • iptables, UFW or FirewallD does not allow incoming TCP on the SSH port
  • fail2ban banned your IP after failed attempts

This guide also covers

  • can't ssh into linode
  • linode ssh connection refused
  • linode ssh connection timed out
  • ssh port 22 connection refused linode

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