Quick answer
A timeout or connection refusal happens before an AI assistant can edit your site. Verify the network destination and port with an ordinary client first. A timeout, an explicit refusal, and a key-authentication error point to different stages of the connection.
Before you start
Use the service's actual SSH hostname and port, not a guessed value. A Cloudflare-proxied website hostname may not be the right SSH endpoint. Confirm your current public IP if the provider uses an access allowlist.
What to do
- Check that your internet connection works and that the server name resolves to the destination supplied for your service.
- Try the documented port with a normal terminal client. Record whether the result is timeout, refused, host-key warning, or authentication failure.
- Review local firewall, VPN, corporate network, and provider IP restrictions. Ask support whether the server is reachable from your network.
- Once network access succeeds, troubleshoot username/key authorization separately and only then retry the assistant workflow.
Check the result
A successful connection should progress to verified server identity and authentication. Confirm the account and folder with a harmless read before changing files.
If something does not work
Do not repeatedly guess ports, disable security software, or open server-wide firewall access. Send support the hostname, port, approximate time/time zone, your public IP if requested securely, and the exact sanitized error.
Related help
- Why a Cloudflare website hostname may not work for SSH or email
- Troubleshoot cPanel, SSH and SFTP login problems
- What can I do if my hosting account has no SSH access?
Official references
Reviewed October 31, 2026. Interfaces, vendor availability, and account features can change. Check your current account before making changes.
