Software⏱️ 2 min read📅 2026-05-31

How to Fix: SSH -L connection successful, but localhost port forwarding not working "channel 3: open failed: connect failed: Connection refused"

Quick Answer: Check the SSH port forwarding configuration and ensure it's not conflicting with other applications on your local machine.

To resolve the issue of SSH -L connection successful, but localhost port forwarding not working due to a 'channel 3: open failed: connect failed: Connection refused' error, you need to understand that this is often caused by a conflict between the SSH server's configuration and your local router's firewall settings.

🔍 Why This Happens

  • When you initially connected to the server from your cousin's house, it was likely that the VPN setup allowed the SSH connection to bypass the router's firewall.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Method 1: Configure SSH Port Forwarding on the Server

  1. Step 1: On your Mac, open the Terminal app and run the command `ssh -L ::localhost:8080` (replace `` with your server username and `` with the desired port number). This sets up a port forwarding from the local machine to the remote server.

Method 2: Configure Your Router's Firewall

  1. Step 1: Open your router's configuration page and navigate to the 'Advanced' or 'Security' section. Look for a setting related to 'SSH Port Forwarding' or 'Remote Access'. Enable this feature, if available.

✨ Wrapping Up

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue of SSH -L connection successful, but localhost port forwarding not working. If the problem persists, it may be worth consulting with your network administrator or IT department for further assistance.

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