kex_exchange_identification: Connection closed by remote host
The SSH connection was closed before the handshake — server overload, rate limiting, or a proxy/firewall interfering.
Exact message you may see
Connection closed by remote hostConnection reset by peer
Seen on:
Git
Meaning
Often transient (server-side load or DDoS protection) or caused by networks that intercept SSH. Retrying or using port 443 helps.
Common causes
- Remote side rate limiting/overloaded
- Firewall/proxy intercepting SSH
- MaxStartups limit on a self-hosted server
⚡ Quick fix
- Retry after a moment
- Try SSH over 443
- Use HTTPS
Detailed fix by platform
Git
ssh -vT -p 443 git@ssh.github.com
How to diagnose
- Repeatable — Every time or intermittent?
- Recent change — Did it start after a deploy, upgrade, or configuration change? Compare with the last working version.
🔧 Still not fixed?
Many errors look alike. If the steps above didn’t solve it, one of these is probably what you’re facing:
Similar errors
Most viewed in Git
- Git SSL certificate problem fatal: unable to access 'https://…': SSL certificate problem: unable to get local issuer certificate
- unfinished merge fatal: You have not concluded your merge (MERGE_HEAD exists). Please, commit your changes before you merge.
- rebase in progress fatal: It seems that there is already a rebase-merge directory, and I wonder if you are in the middle of another rebase.
Other ways to find it
Where this error sits
Origin: Build & delivery. Errors that are often confused with or caused by this one (click to open):
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Last updated 14 Oct 2026