Hello Rachel S,


SSH uses public-key cryptography to authenticate the remote computer and allow it to authenticate the user. The fix is for the "root" user. So, you will have to replace the username, resulting in "too many authentication failures for 'username.'"

Firstly, we need to understand the cause of the error. Commonly, the above occurs when you have exceeded the number of failed login attempts limit. The Putty/OpenSSH (or any other remote SSH connection tool) restricts you from logging in.

Thus, you can go through the below-provided steps to resolve this issue:-

• Firstly, you can use any other device to log in to your VPS through any alternate user created previously.
• Now, once you log in to your VPS, you will need to execute the command below to reach the "sshd_config" file.
• Next, enter the "sshd_config" file to modify the maximum number of tries allowed in a single session.

• Now, you will see the "MaxAuthTries 6". press "i" using a keyboard to enter the editing mode in the file.
• Moreover, after modifying "MaxAuthTries" to 10, click on" Esc" and type ":wq" to save and exit the file.
• Lastly, you must fire the below command to apply changes made in the file.

• Now, you can try to log in with the previously inaccessible user or the user who gave the SSH error "Too many authentication failures for the root user."

I hope the above steps help you to fix the SSH error, and you can log in via root user. However, if the issue persists, you can update us here will be glad to help you with the same.

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Regards,
Rex Maughan