You control a Linux VPS through SSH — a secure text connection to the server's command line. Your delivery email contains the three things you need: the server's IP address, the username root, and the root password. Here is the connection, on Windows and on Linux/Mac.
✅ Before you start
- Your VPS delivery details (IP, root password) from our email/ticket
- Windows: the built-in Windows Terminal / PowerShell includes an SSH client these days; the classic alternative is the free PuTTY app
- Linux/Mac: the built-in Terminal is all you need
On Linux / Mac / Windows Terminal
- Open the terminal and type (replace with your server's IP):
ssh root@YOUR-SERVER-IP
- First connection only: the terminal shows a fingerprint warning and asks to trust the host — type yes.
- Type the root password when asked. Nothing appears on screen while you type — that's normal; press Enter.
- You're in: the prompt changes to the server's. Everything you type now runs on the VPS.
On Windows with PuTTY
- Open PuTTY, type the server IP into Host Name, keep Port 22 and type SSH, click Open.
- Accept the first-time host key prompt.
- Log in as root and type the password (again, invisible while typing).
✅ Result: You have a live command line on your server. Do the security first steps now (linked below) — starting with changing the delivered root password — before installing anything.
⚠ Common mistakes & fixes
- "Permission denied": a mistyped password — remember it's invisible while typing, and copy-paste can add a trailing space. Retype slowly.
- "Connection timed out": a wrong IP, or the server is off/rebooting. Recheck the delivery details; if the IP is right and it persists, open a support ticket.
- Sharing the root password around: root is the master key to the entire machine. Do the security steps, create individual users, and never paste root credentials into chats or tickets.
- Lost the password entirely: root password resets on a VPS with no self-service panel go through support — open a ticket and we'll verify and help.
Related articles
- How to Secure Your New VPS (First Steps)
- How to Restart / Reinstall Your VPS (via Support)
- How to Order a VPS