ChatGPT, 
Claude, 
Gemini, 
Grok — all four for 
Troubleshooting SSH Key Errors on a Self-Managed VPS and VDS
When managing a Self-Managed VPS or Virtual Dedicated Server (VDS), SSH keys provide secure, passwordless access to your server. However, you may occasionally encounter validation errors or portal-related issues when adding or managing SSH keys. This guide explains how to troubleshoot and resolve common SSH key errors.
Your SSH Keys Stay Put
Good news—you don't have to worry about re-adding your SSH keys every time you manage your server. For the root user, your SSH key generally remains securely configured and ready to use during standard server actions.
| Server Action | What Happens to Your Root SSH Key |
|---|---|
| Reboot | Typically remains fully configured and available after your server comes back online. |
| Restart | Stays active and accessible immediately after the restart under normal operations. |
| Reimage | Persists throughout the standard reimaging process and is ready to use when your server is restored. |
Important Note for Non-Root Users: This automatic persistence applies only to the root user. If you have configured SSH keys for additional users, those keys may not be retained if the user account or its configuration is reset. In such cases, you will need to reconfigure them manually.
In short, under normal operating conditions, you can perform standard reboots, restarts, and reimages with confidence—your root SSH key will remain in place.
Troubleshooting SSH Key Errors
Review the troubleshooting steps below for the most common SSH key-related errors:
- Invalid Key Format Errors
- Cause: This error typically occurs when a private key is pasted instead of a public key, extra line breaks are included, or unintended spaces are copied from a text editor.
- Solution: Open your public key file (for example,
id_rsa.puborid_ed25519.pub) in a plain text editor. Verify that it begins with a valid key type, such asssh-rsaorssh-ed25519, is contained on a single line, and does not include extra spaces, line breaks, or private key headers.
- Empty Name Errors
- Cause: This error occurs when the SSH key name or label field is left blank during submission.
- Solution: Return to the SSH key form and enter a descriptive name for the key, such as
My-Work-Laptop, before saving or uploading the public key again.
- "Failed to Add SSH Key" Error
- Cause: This general error may occur because of a temporary network issue, a validation failure caused by an improperly formatted key, or the use of an unsupported or deprecated key type.
- Solution: Verify that your key was generated using a supported algorithm, such as Ed25519 or RSA with an appropriate key length. Clear your browser cache, carefully paste the public key again, or generate a new key pair using
ssh-keygen -t ed25519before attempting the upload process again.
Summary
Promptly resolving SSH key errors helps ensure secure and uninterrupted access to your Self-Managed VPS or Virtual Dedicated Server (VDS). By verifying that your public key is properly formatted, providing a valid key name, and using modern, supported encryption algorithms, you can avoid common issues and maintain reliable server access.