Cannot Connect

Can't Connect to Your VPS?

Start here. Work through these checks in order.

Check Your IP Address

Make sure you're using the right IP. Find it in the control panel under your VPS details.

ssh root@192.0.2.1

A typo in the IP is the most common mistake.

Check the Port

Default SSH port is 22. If you changed it, specify it:

ssh -p 2222 root@192.0.2.1

Not sure what port you're using? Check your control panel or try the default first.

Check the Username

QDE VPS defaults to root. If you get Permission denied, make sure you're not using a different username by mistake.

ssh root@192.0.2.1

Check Your Password

Passwords are case-sensitive. Try copying it directly from the provisioning email. Don't add extra spaces.

If you've changed the password and forgot it, you can reset it from the control panel.

Check if the Server is Running

Is the VPS status Running?
If it's stopped, start it
If it's stuck, try rebooting

Check Your Network

Some networks (corporate, university, public Wi-Fi) block SSH traffic on port 22.

Try connecting from a different network. A phone hotspot is the quickest test.

Run Network Diagnostics

If the basics check out, use these tools to narrow down the problem.

Ping

Check if the server is reachable at all:

ping 192.0.2.1

Getting replies. the server is online, the issue is likely SSH config or port
Request timed out / 100% packet loss. the server may be down, or something is blocking traffic between you and the server

On Windows, ping sends 4 packets and stops. On macOS/Linux, press Ctrl + C to stop.

Traceroute

See the path your connection takes and where it gets stuck:

Windows:

tracert 192.0.2.1

macOS / Linux:

traceroute 192.0.2.1

Look at the output. If the trace stops midway (shows * * *), there's a network issue between you and the server. Could be your ISP, a transit provider, or a firewall.

MTR (recommended)

MTR combines ping and traceroute into one tool and runs continuously, giving you a clearer picture.

macOS (install via Homebrew):

brew install mtr
sudo mtr 192.0.2.1

Linux (Debian/Ubuntu):

sudo apt install mtr-tiny -y
mtr 192.0.2.1

Linux (CentOS/RHEL/Fedora):

sudo dnf install mtr -y
mtr 192.0.2.1

Windows:

Download WinMTR. a graphical version. Enter your server IP and click Start.

MTR shows packet loss and latency at every hop. If you see high loss at a specific hop, that's where the problem is. Save or screenshot the results. Support may ask for them.

Still Can't Connect?

If none of the above helps:

Try the console in your control panel. This connects directly without SSH
Check the Connection Timeout or Permission Denied guides for specific error messages
Open a support ticket with your VPS IP, the error message, and your ping/MTR results

Cannot Connect

On this page