Software⏱️ 4 min read📅 2026-06-15

How to Fix: ssh host key verification failed error

SSH host key verification failed error fix

Quick Answer: Add correct host key in /home/sam/.ssh/known_hosts to resolve the issue.

The 'ssh host key verification failed' error occurs when the SSH connection between your local machine and a remote server cannot verify the authenticity of the server's public key. This typically happens when you are trying to connect to a server for the first time or after the server's host key has changed.

This error can be frustrating because it prevents you from accessing the server, but there is a straightforward solution that involves updating the known hosts file.

⚠️ Common Causes

  • The primary reason for this error is that the server's host key has changed. When you first connect to a new server or after making changes to the server's configuration, its host key may be updated. This update can cause SSH connections to fail if your local machine's known hosts file does not contain the new public key.
  • An alternative reason for this error could be that there is an issue with your local machine's SSH client or the connection settings.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

Updating the Known Hosts File

  1. Step 1: Open a terminal on your local machine and navigate to the .ssh directory.
  2. Step 2: Type the command 'cat /home/sam/.ssh/known_hosts' to view the current known hosts file contents.
  3. Step 3: Compare the listed host keys with the expected public key of the remote server. If you find any discrepancies, remove the offending line from the known hosts file.
  4. Step 4: Add the correct host key by copying it from the server's public key and pasting it into the known hosts file.
  5. Step 5: Type 'ssh-keygen -R 192.168.1.3' to remove the old host key entry from your local machine's known hosts file.
  6. Step 6: Save the changes and try connecting to the remote server again using SSH.

Updating the Server's Host Key

  1. Step 1: Contact the server administrator or system administrator to update the server's host key. This may involve re-generating the server's public key or updating the server's configuration.
  2. Step 2: Follow any instructions provided by the server administrator to update the server's host key correctly.
  3. Step 3: Verify that the new host key is correctly configured on the server before attempting to connect using SSH.

✨ Wrapping Up

If you have followed these steps and are still experiencing issues, it may be worth consulting the documentation for your local machine's SSH client or seeking further assistance from a system administrator. However, in most cases, updating the known hosts file or re-generating the server's host key should resolve the 'ssh host key verification failed' error.

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