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PuTTY & SSH Troubleshooter

Answer only non-sensitive questions. We never ask for passwords or private keys. Commands use documentation placeholders such as example.com.

Do not paste passwords, private keys, access tokens, recovery codes, or confidential server data.

Step 1

What are you trying to do? Open an interactive SSH session with PuTTY Transfer files with PSCP or PSFTP Run plink / automation Use a serial console Create an SSH tunnel / port forward

Which failure category matches best? Cannot connect (timeout, refused, host not found) Connects but authentication fails Host key warning or change Session drops, freezes, or blank terminal Private key / Pageant / format problem File transfer error

Which operating system are you running PuTTY on? Windows 10 / 11 Windows Server Other / unsure

Does the hostname resolve to an IP address on your machine? Yes — DNS or hosts file resolves No — host does not resolve I am connecting by IP address Not sure

Does the server accept TCP connections on the intended port (often 22)? Yes — port appears open No — connection refused or filtered Not sure / cannot test

How do you authenticate? Password Public-key (PPK / Pageant) Mixed / server may allow either Not sure

Did anything change recently? Server rebuilt or reinstalled Network / VPN / firewall / hosting panel Keys or passwords rotated Nothing obvious

Is a firewall, VPN, proxy, or hosting control panel involved? Corporate or host firewall VPN required HTTP/SOCKS proxy Cloud security group / panel Direct connection

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