If you’re having trouble connecting to your VPS, don’t worry — it’s usually something that can be fixed quickly. This guide will walk you through the most common causes and resolutions step-by-step.
Step 1: Verify Your Credentials and Server Status
Before diving into complex diagnostics, start with the basics. Credential mismatches are the most common cause of failed connections.
IP Address: Always copy the current IP address directly from your VPS provider’s dashboard. Avoid relying on saved or previously bookmarked IPs, especially if your VPS was recently reprovisioned.
Username:
For Windows VPS: the default username is usually Administrator.
For Linux VPS: it’s typically root, unless you’ve created another user.
Password: Double-check for any extra spaces or characters when copying. If you’ve changed your password, the old one won’t work — use the updated one shown in your dashboard.
Important: After a reboot, the VPS may take 5–10 minutes to become fully accessible while services initialize. Please wait a few minutes before retrying. Additionally, scheduled maintenance may sometimes cause temporary inaccessibility. Check with your provider to confirm if maintenance is ongoing and retry connecting once confirmed completed.
Step 2: Isolate the Issue — Your Network or the Server?
Next, determine whether the issue lies with your own network or with the server.
Try Connecting from a Different Network
Switch to a different network (e.g., mobile data instead of Wi-Fi).
On your smartphone:
Turn off Wi-Fi and use mobile data.
Download a Remote Desktop (RDP) or SSH client.
Attempt to connect to the VPS.
Interpreting the Results:
✅ If the connection works on mobile data: the issue is with your current network (home, office, or public Wi-Fi).
❌ If the connection fails on all networks: the issue is likely with the VPS or your credentials.
Consider Local Network Restrictions
Public or corporate networks often block ports used by RDP (TCP 3389) or SSH (TCP 22).
Action: Try from a private home connection or mobile hotspot.
Step 3: Check Your Local Software and System Settings
Your own device might be blocking or interfering with the connection.
Disable VPN Temporarily
VPNs can reroute traffic and block certain ports.
Action: Turn off any VPN and attempt to reconnect.
Review Your Firewall or Antivirus Settings
Firewalls and antivirus software can block RDP or SSH traffic.
Action: Temporarily disable or add an exception for your remote desktop or SSH client and try again.
Step 4: Check Server Status in QuantVPS Dashboard
If you’ve confirmed your credentials and network are working, contact your VPS provider:
Is the server online? Check uptime and logs.
Are there any reported outages or maintenance? Sometimes temporary disruptions occur due to updates or hardware issues.
Step 5: Reboot the Server (if accessible)
If you can access your VPS provider’s control panel:
Try rebooting the VPS from the control panel.
As a last resort, you may need to rebuild the server (note: this will wipe all data unless backups exist).
Step 6: Understanding Common Error Codes
When troubleshooting connectivity issues with your Windows VPS, you may encounter specific error codes. Here’s guidance on addressing one of the common issues:
Error Code 0x204
What it means: This error signifies that a connection to your Windows VPS could not be established.
Potential Causes and Solutions:
VPS Availability: Confirm the VPS is powered on and accessible through its assigned IP address or hostname.
Maintenance Activities: Temporary inaccessibility may occur during scheduled maintenance. Verify with your provider if maintenance is ongoing and try again afterward.
Network Configuration: Ensure your local network or router settings are not obstructing access to external servers like your VPS. Review any custom rules or configurations that could block the connection.
🤝 Need Assistance?
If any part of the setup feels unclear, the QuantVPS team is happy to help. If you’d like us to verify your environment from our side, feel free to open a support ticket and get connected with the team: https://www.quantvps.com/