In this troubleshooting guide, we will explore the causes and solutions for the "Failed to Connect to Remote VM - Connection Refused" issue that developers may encounter while trying to connect to a remote virtual machine (VM). Follow the step-by-step solutions below to resolve this issue and get back to working on your remote VM.
Table of Contents
- Solution 1: Check your network connection
- Solution 2: Verify the remote VM's IP address and port number
- Solution 3: Check if the remote VM is running
- Solution 4: Verify firewall settings
- Solution 5: Inspect the remote VM's SSH service
Prerequisites
Before diving into the solutions, ensure that you have the following prerequisites:
- Access to the remote VM's IP address and port number.
- A stable internet connection.
- Administrator/root access to the remote VM (if required).
Identifying the cause
The "Failed to Connect to Remote VM - Connection Refused" error generally occurs due to one of the following reasons:
- Network connectivity issues.
- Incorrect IP address or port number.
- The remote VM is not running.
- Firewall settings blocking the connection.
- SSH service issues on the remote VM.
Step-by-step solutions
Follow the solutions below to resolve the connection issue with your remote VM.
Solution 1: Check your network connection
Ensure that your local machine has a stable internet connection. You can use an online tool like Speedtest to check your internet speed and stability. If you find any issues with your network connection, try reconnecting or contacting your network administrator for assistance.
Solution 2: Verify the remote VM's IP address and port number
Double-check the IP address and port number of the remote VM you're trying to connect to. If you're using a domain name, verify that it is correctly resolving to the remote VM's IP address. You can use the nslookup command or an online tool like DNS Checker to verify the domain's IP resolution.
Solution 3: Check if the remote VM is running
Ensure that the remote VM is running and accepting connections. If you have access to the VM's management console, log in and verify its status. If the VM is not running, start it and try connecting again.
Solution 4: Verify firewall settings
Firewall settings on both your local machine and the remote VM can block the connection. Check the firewall settings on both ends and ensure that the required port (usually port 22 for SSH) is allowed. If you need to modify the firewall settings, contact your network administrator or refer to the documentation for your specific firewall software.
Solution 5: Inspect the remote VM's SSH service
If the SSH service on the remote VM is not running or misconfigured, it may refuse connections. Check if the SSH service is running on the remote VM by logging in through its management console or using another remote access method. If required, restart the SSH service and verify its configuration.
FAQs
Q: How can I check if a specific port is open on the remote VM?
You can use tools like Nmap or Port Checker to scan the remote VM's IP address and verify if a specific port is open.
Q: How do I restart the SSH service on the remote VM?
To restart the SSH service on a Linux-based remote VM, execute the following command:
sudo systemctl restart ssh
For Windows-based remote VMs, refer to the documentation for restarting the OpenSSH service.
Q: How can I change the default SSH port on the remote VM?
To change the default SSH port on a Linux-based remote VM, follow the steps given in this guide. For Windows-based remote VMs, refer to the documentation for modifying the OpenSSH server configuration.
Q: Can I use a VPN to bypass firewall restrictions?
Yes, connecting to a VPN can help bypass certain firewall restrictions imposed by your local network. However, ensure that the VPN's IP address and port number are allowed through the remote VM's firewall.
Q: How do I verify if the domain name is correctly resolving to the remote VM's IP address?
You can use the nslookup command or an online tool like DNS Checker to verify the domain's IP resolution.