> Source: [sk183668](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk183668)

# sk183668 - "Server refused our key" message when connecting to Gaia OS with an SSH Key

| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| Solution ID | sk183668 |
| Date Created | 2025-07-28 |
| Last Modified | 2025-08-07 |
| Technical Level | Advanced |
| Products | Security Gateway, Security Management Server |
| Versions | R82.10, R82, R81.20, R81.10 (EOS), R82.10, R82, R81.20, R81.10 (EOS) |
| OS | Gaia |

## Symptoms

- Although Gaia OS was configured to allow a specific user to connect over SSH using an SSH Authentication with an RSA Key File, the Gaia OS shows the message "`Server refused our key`" and asks for the password.

Example:
![](https://sc1.checkpoint.com/sc/SolutionsStatics/NEW_SK_NOID1752678637687/Annotation 2025-07-16 205204202507162052283.png)

## Cause

The SSH public key for this user is not configured or formatted incorrectly in the Gaia OS in the file "`/home/<username>/.ssh/authorized_keys`".

## Solution

This solution requires authentication. Please log in to view the full solution.

---

# Agent Instructions

This content is from the Check Point Support Center (https://support.checkpoint.com), the official knowledge base for Check Point cybersecurity products.

## Navigating This Knowledge Base

- **Complete index**: [llms.txt](https://support.checkpoint.com/llms.txt)
- **All SK articles**: [SecureKnowledge Sitemap](https://support.checkpoint.com/sitemaps/secureknowledge-sitemap-index.xml)
- **SK article URL pattern**: `https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/{skId}`
- **Markdown responses**: AI bot User-Agents automatically receive `text/markdown` content