{"id":116,"date":"2025-07-25T11:55:40","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T06:25:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nivohost.com\/blog\/?p=116"},"modified":"2026-06-02T00:46:04","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T19:16:04","slug":"how-to-connect-a-server-using-putty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nivohost.com\/blog\/how-to-connect-a-server-using-putty\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Connect a Server Using PuTTY"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you are managing a <strong>VPS<\/strong>, <strong>dedicated server<\/strong>, or any <strong>Linux-based remote machine<\/strong>, PuTTY is one of the most popular tools for establishing SSH (Secure Shell) connections from Windows systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this guide, we\u2019ll walk you through <strong>how to use PuTTY to connect to your server<\/strong>, including downloading the tool, configuring it, and troubleshooting common issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/nivohost.com\/blog\/how-to-connect-a-server-using-putty\/#%F0%9F%93%A6_What_is_PuTTY\" >\ud83d\udce6 What is PuTTY?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/nivohost.com\/blog\/how-to-connect-a-server-using-putty\/#%E2%9C%85_Prerequisites_Before_You_Begin\" >\u2705 Prerequisites Before You Begin<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/nivohost.com\/blog\/how-to-connect-a-server-using-putty\/#%F0%9F%94%BD_Step_1_Download_and_Install_PuTTY\" >\ud83d\udd3d Step 1: Download and Install PuTTY<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/nivohost.com\/blog\/how-to-connect-a-server-using-putty\/#%F0%9F%94%8C_Step_2_Open_PuTTY_and_Enter_Server_Details\" >\ud83d\udd0c Step 2: Open PuTTY and Enter Server Details<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/nivohost.com\/blog\/how-to-connect-a-server-using-putty\/#%F0%9F%92%BE_Step_3_Save_the_Session_Optional_but_Recommended\" >\ud83d\udcbe Step 3: Save the Session (Optional but Recommended)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/nivohost.com\/blog\/how-to-connect-a-server-using-putty\/#%F0%9F%94%90_Step_4_Connect_and_Authenticate\" >\ud83d\udd10 Step 4: Connect and Authenticate<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/nivohost.com\/blog\/how-to-connect-a-server-using-putty\/#%F0%9F%94%91_Using_SSH_Key_Instead_of_Password_Advanced\" >\ud83d\udd11 Using SSH Key Instead of Password (Advanced)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/nivohost.com\/blog\/how-to-connect-a-server-using-putty\/#%F0%9F%9B%A0%EF%B8%8F_Common_PuTTY_Errors_and_Fixes\" >\ud83d\udee0\ufe0f Common PuTTY Errors and Fixes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/nivohost.com\/blog\/how-to-connect-a-server-using-putty\/#%F0%9F%A7%A0_PuTTY_Tips_and_Tricks\" >\ud83e\udde0 PuTTY Tips and Tricks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/nivohost.com\/blog\/how-to-connect-a-server-using-putty\/#%E2%9C%85_Final_Thoughts\" >\u2705 Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%F0%9F%93%A6_What_is_PuTTY\"><\/span>\ud83d\udce6 What is PuTTY?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>PuTTY<\/strong> is a free and open-source terminal emulator that supports SSH, Telnet, and serial console connections. It is most commonly used to connect to Linux servers securely using SSH from a Windows PC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%9C%85_Prerequisites_Before_You_Begin\"><\/span>\u2705 Prerequisites Before You Begin<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To connect to a server using PuTTY, you\u2019ll need the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u2705 <strong>PuTTY installed<\/strong> on your local machine<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2705 <strong>Server IP address or hostname<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2705 <strong>Port number<\/strong> (default is <code>22<\/code> for SSH)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2705 <strong>SSH credentials<\/strong> (username, usually <code>root<\/code>, and password or private key)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%F0%9F%94%BD_Step_1_Download_and_Install_PuTTY\"><\/span>\ud83d\udd3d Step 1: Download and Install PuTTY<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Visit the official PuTTY website:<br>\ud83d\udc49 <a>https:\/\/www.putty.org\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Download the appropriate version for your system (<code>64-bit<\/code> or <code>32-bit<\/code>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Run the installer and follow the instructions to install PuTTY on your PC.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%F0%9F%94%8C_Step_2_Open_PuTTY_and_Enter_Server_Details\"><\/span>\ud83d\udd0c Step 2: Open PuTTY and Enter Server Details<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Open <strong>PuTTY<\/strong> from the Start menu.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In the <strong>Host Name (or IP address)<\/strong> field, enter your server&#8217;s IP (e.g., <code>192.168.1.10<\/code>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Port<\/strong>: Leave it as <code>22<\/code> (default for SSH).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Connection Type<\/strong>: Ensure <strong>SSH<\/strong> is selected.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>(Optional) In the left sidebar, go to <strong>Connection \u2192 Data<\/strong>, and enter your <strong>Auto-login username<\/strong> (e.g., <code>root<\/code>) to save time.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%F0%9F%92%BE_Step_3_Save_the_Session_Optional_but_Recommended\"><\/span>\ud83d\udcbe Step 3: Save the Session (Optional but Recommended)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To avoid retyping the information every time:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In the <strong>Saved Sessions<\/strong> field, type a name (e.g., <code>My VPS Server<\/code>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click <strong>Save<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Next time, just double-click the saved session to connect.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%F0%9F%94%90_Step_4_Connect_and_Authenticate\"><\/span>\ud83d\udd10 Step 4: Connect and Authenticate<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Click <strong>Open<\/strong> to start the connection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If it\u2019s your first time connecting, PuTTY will ask to <strong>trust the server\u2019s SSH key<\/strong>. Click <strong>Yes<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A terminal window will open asking for a <strong>username<\/strong> (e.g., <code>root<\/code>), if not auto-filled.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enter the <strong>password<\/strong> and press Enter. Note: The password will not be visible as you type (for security).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2705 You are now logged into your server!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%F0%9F%94%91_Using_SSH_Key_Instead_of_Password_Advanced\"><\/span>\ud83d\udd11 Using SSH Key Instead of Password (Advanced)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your server requires <strong>SSH key authentication<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Convert your private key to <code>.ppk<\/code> format using <strong>PuTTYgen<\/strong> (bundled with PuTTY).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In PuTTY, go to:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Connection &gt; SSH &gt; Auth<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click <strong>Browse<\/strong> and select your <code>.ppk<\/code> file<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Then connect as usual.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%F0%9F%9B%A0%EF%B8%8F_Common_PuTTY_Errors_and_Fixes\"><\/span>\ud83d\udee0\ufe0f Common PuTTY Errors and Fixes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Error<\/th><th>Solution<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><em>Network error: Connection timed out<\/em><\/td><td>Server might be offline or IP\/firewall blocked. Check port 22 access.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Access denied<\/em><\/td><td>Incorrect username or password. Double-check credentials.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><em>Server unexpectedly closed network connection<\/em><\/td><td>Could be due to key mismatch, firewall, or wrong login method.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%F0%9F%A7%A0_PuTTY_Tips_and_Tricks\"><\/span>\ud83e\udde0 PuTTY Tips and Tricks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\ud83d\udcbe <strong>Always save your sessions<\/strong> for faster access.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\ud83d\udd10 <strong>Use key-based authentication<\/strong> for improved security.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2699\ufe0f <strong>Enable keep-alive settings<\/strong> under Connection \u2192 Seconds between keepalives to prevent timeout.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%9C%85_Final_Thoughts\"><\/span>\u2705 Final Thoughts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using PuTTY is a simple and secure way to manage your remote Linux server from a Windows PC. Whether you&#8217;re installing software, running scripts, or checking logs, PuTTY gives you full control over your server via SSH.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Need a reliable Linux VPS or RDP server?<\/strong><br>\ud83d\udc49 <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/nivohost.com\">Nivohost<\/a> offers high-performance VPS with full root access and 24\/7 support.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Whether you are managing a VPS, dedicated server, or any Linux-based remote machine, PuTTY is one of the&hellip;","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1628,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_location_hash":"","csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_volume":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-116","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tutorial","cs-entry","cs-video-wrap"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nivohost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nivohost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nivohost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nivohost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nivohost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=116"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/nivohost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":118,"href":"https:\/\/nivohost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116\/revisions\/118"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nivohost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1628"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nivohost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=116"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nivohost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=116"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nivohost.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=116"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}