Software⏱️ 4 min read📅 2026-06-03

How to Fix: Git SSH error: "Connect to host: Bad file number"

Git SSH error: Bad file number occurs when the SSH client is unable to establish a connection with the server due to an invalid port number.

Quick Answer: Try updating your OpenSSH version, as this issue may be caused by an outdated version. Run the command 'sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade openssh' on Ubuntu-based systems.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 🔍 Why This Happens
  2. ✅ Best Solutions to Fix It
  3. ✨ Wrapping Up

The 'Connect to host: Bad file number' error is a common issue that affects users who are trying to connect to GitHub using SSH. This error occurs when the SSH client is unable to establish a connection with the server, often due to incorrect configuration or network issues.

This error can be frustrating for developers and IT professionals who rely on SSH connections to manage their repositories. However, by following the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to resolve the issue and connect successfully to GitHub.

🔍 Why This Happens

  • The primary cause of this error is an incorrect configuration in the SSH client. Specifically, the file path for the SSH private key may be incorrect or missing. This can happen when the user has moved their home directory or if the SSH configuration file is not properly set up.
  • Another possible reason for this error is a network issue that prevents the SSH client from connecting to the server. This could be due to a firewall blocking the connection, a DNS resolution issue, or a problem with the network interface.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

Verify and correct SSH configuration

  1. Step 1: Check the SSH private key file path and ensure that it is correctly set in the SSH client. The default location for the private key file is usually ~/.ssh/id_rsa, so make sure this file exists and is accessible by the SSH client.
  2. Step 2: Verify that the SSH configuration file is properly set up. The default location for the SSH configuration file is usually ~/.ssh/config, so check that this file exists and contains the correct settings for your server.
  3. Step 3: Check the firewall settings to ensure that they are not blocking the connection to GitHub. You may need to add an exception for the SSH port (22) or configure the firewall to allow incoming connections on this port.

Check network connectivity

  1. Step 1: Check your network connectivity by pinging GitHub's IP address (207.97.227.239). If the ping fails, there may be a problem with your network connection that is preventing the SSH client from connecting to the server.
  2. Step 2: Verify that the DNS resolution for GitHub's domain name is correct. You can do this by running the command `dig +short github.com` and checking that the IP address of the server is correct.

✨ Wrapping Up

To resolve the 'Connect to host: Bad file number' error, you need to verify and correct your SSH configuration and check for any network connectivity issues. By following these steps, you should be able to establish a successful connection to GitHub using SSH.

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