---
name: vpc-vsi-ts-ssh-permission-denied
title: Why do I receive an SSH key permission denied error?
description: You receive a permission denied error when you try to connect to your virtual server instance by using SSH.
last-updated: 2026-07-09
---

> ## Documentation Index
> The table of contents for this documentation set is at https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?format=markdown
> The index for all IBM Cloud docs is at: https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use these files to discover more information as needed.

# Why do I receive an SSH key permission denied error?
{: #troubleshooting-ssh-key-permission-denied-error}
{: troubleshoot}
{: support}

You receive a permission denied error when you try to connect to your virtual server instance by using SSH.
{: shortdesc}

You receive an SSH key permission denied error when you try to connect to your virtual server instance.
{: tsSymptoms}

Your host might not be recognized as an authorized host.
{: tsCauses}

Add your host as a known host by running the following command in your terminal.
{: tsResolve}

Replace `[sFTP]` with your host.

```sh
ssh-keyscan -t rsa [sFTP] >> ~/.ssh/known_hosts
```
{: pre}


For troubleshooting information about z/OS virtual server instances, see [IBM Wazi as a Service documentation](https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/wazi-aas/1.1.0?topic=known-limitations){: external}.