---
id: troubleshooting.ssh-authentication-rejected
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/troubleshooting/ssh-authentication-rejected
category: "Troubleshooting & messages"
subcategory: "Cloud accounts and transfers"
question: "Why does my SFTP account say \"Authentication rejected by the SSH server\"?"
alt_questions:
  - "authentication rejected by the ssh server"
  - "sftp authentication failed storage studio"
  - "sftp password not accepted"
  - "ssh login rejected storage studio"
short_answer: "The server rejected the sign-in. Check the username (case-sensitive), the current password, whether the server only accepts keys, and whether it restricts which users can sign in."
tags: ["sftp", "authentication", "password"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/troubleshooting/ssh-host-key-changed"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Why does my SFTP account say "Authentication rejected by the SSH server"?

The server is reachable but won't accept the sign-in. Check:

- **Username** — it's case-sensitive.
- **Password** — make sure it's current and copied correctly, especially if it contains symbols.
- **Sign-in method** — some servers only allow key-based sign-in; if so, switch the account to a private key.
- **Server rules** — the server may only allow certain users.

A quick test is to sign in with the same details from Terminal or another SFTP app; if that works too, edit the account and re-enter the details.