---
title: "First login to a Linux VPS with SSH"
url: https://help.endercloud.in/docs/first-login-to-a-linux-vps-with-ssh
category: "VPS Hosting"
type: Guide
tags: ["linux", "ssh", "vps"]
keywords: "ssh root, putty, powershell ssh, termius, juicessh, vps login, permission denied, connection refused, connection timed out, host key verification failed, root password vps, ubuntu vps login, ssh login, connect to vps, how to ssh into vps, ssh from windows, ssh from phone, linux vps login, ssh permission denied, vps password, vps ready email, vps kaise connect kare"
difficulty: beginner
time: "5 minutes"
updated: 2026-11-14
source: Endercloud Knowledge Base (official)
---

# First login to a Linux VPS with SSH

> Run ssh root@YOUR-IP from PowerShell, macOS Terminal or a phone SSH app, accept the host key, and enter the root password from your "VPS ready" email.

You log in to a Linux VPS with **SSH**. Open a terminal, run `ssh root@YOUR-IP`, and enter the root password from your "VPS ready" email. Windows 10/11, macOS and Linux all have SSH built in.

## What you need

-   Your VPS **IP address**, **username** (`root`) and **password**. They are in the "VPS ready" email, and you can also see the IP in the billing panel under **Servers** → **Manage** on your VPS (or at manage.endercloud.in for Germany).
    
-   The VPS must be running. Check its status under **Servers** in the billing panel.
    

## Connect from Windows (PowerShell)

1.  Press the Start button, type **PowerShell** and open it.
    
2.  Type the command below with your own IP and press Enter:
    
    ```
    ssh root@203.0.113.10
    ```
    
3.  The first time, you are asked whether you trust the server's fingerprint. Type `yes` and press Enter.
    
4.  Enter the password. **Nothing appears on screen while you type**; that is normal. Press Enter.
    

When you see a prompt such as `root@yourserver:~#`, you are logged in.

> **Tip:**
> Pasting the password: in PowerShell, right-click pastes. In most terminals `Ctrl+Shift+V` also works. Be careful not to paste extra spaces.

Prefer a program with saved sessions? **PuTTY** works too: put the IP in **Host Name**, keep port `22` and connection type **SSH**, click **Open**, then log in as `root`.

## Connect from macOS or Linux

Open **Terminal** and run the same command: `ssh root@YOUR-IP`. Accept the fingerprint with `yes` and enter the password.

## Connect from a phone

Install an SSH app such as Termius (Android and iOS) or JuiceSSH (Android). Add a new host with your IP, port `22`, username `root` and your password, then connect.

## First things to do

1.  Update the system. On Ubuntu or Debian:
    
    ```
    apt update && apt upgrade -y
    ```
    
    On AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux or CentOS Stream:
    
    ```
    dnf upgrade -y
    ```
    
2.  Change the root password to one only you know:
    
    ```
    passwd
    ```
    
3.  Follow [Secure your new VPS](/docs/secure-your-new-vps) to add a firewall, a normal user and SSH keys.
    

## Common errors

| Message | What it means |
| --- | --- |
| `Permission denied, please try again.` | Wrong password, or a typo in the username. Reset the root password from your VPS page (billing panel → **Servers** → **Manage**) if needed. See [Reinstall the OS and reset the root password](/docs/reinstall-os-and-reset-root-password). |
| `Connection timed out` | The VPS is off, still installing, or a firewall blocks port 22. Check the status, and on India or Germany VPS use the web console to look inside. |
| `Connection refused` | The VPS is up but SSH isn't listening on that port, for example if you changed the SSH port. |
| `WARNING: REMOTE HOST IDENTIFICATION HAS CHANGED!` | Normal after a reinstall: the server got new keys. Remove the old entry with `ssh-keygen -R YOUR-IP` and connect again. |

## Frequently asked questions

**Q: Is the username always root?**

For our Linux VPS images, yes: the "VPS ready" email shows the exact username. Windows servers use `Administrator` and Remote Desktop instead. See [Connect to a Windows VPS with Remote Desktop](/docs/connect-to-a-windows-vps-with-remote-desktop).

**Q: Can I upload files to my VPS?**

Yes. Programs like WinSCP or FileZilla connect with protocol SFTP, your VPS IP, port 22 and the same root login.

**Q: I locked myself out. What now?**

On India and Germany VPS, the web console on your VPS page (billing panel → **Servers** → **Manage**) lets you log in directly. On every location you can reset the root password from the same page. Reinstalling the OS also works but erases all data.