Reinstalling your OS

What this is for#

Reinstall OS (in Manage VPS, https://vpsdime.com/myservices) wipes your VPS and lays down a clean operating system. Use it to start fresh, switch to a different distribution, or recover from a system that's too broken to fix. It usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes, and you get an email when it's done.

Read this first: it erases everything#

Reinstalling deletes all data on the VPS, files, databases, configuration, everything. There's no undo. Before you reinstall:

• Back up anything you need. If you have Nightly Backups, make sure a recent backup exists (or download what matters). Otherwise copy your data off first.
• If the goal is to fix a broken system rather than start over, don't reinstall, use the Console or, on Premium VPS, Boot from ISO to repair it and keep your data.

Choosing what to install#

• Operating System. Pick a distribution from the list (Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux, Rocky, Arch, CentOS, Fedora, openSUSE, Alpine, and more). Choose a version you'll get updates for, current LTS releases are the safe default for most people.
• Applications (beta). Instead of a bare OS, you can pick a one-click application to have a common stack installed and pre-configured for you. Handy if you just want the app running without setting it up by hand.

Set up access before you reinstall#

The reinstall form lets you configure how you'll log in to the fresh system, do this here so you can get in the moment it's done:

• SSH key. Pick a saved key, paste one, or import from GitHub/GitLab. Using a key is the recommended way in, see SSH Keys.
• Login mode (set separately for root and for a user you create):
  • Login Using Password allows both password and key.
  • Login with SSH Key Only turns password login off, more secure, but only choose this if you've actually set a key, or you'll lock yourself out.
  • Disable Login turns that account's login off entirely.
• Root password (and a user with its own password, if you want one created).

On a Windows VPS, reinstalling reinstalls Windows and you connect over RDP with the Administrator password.

Do it#

Once you've chosen the OS (or app) and set your access, start the reinstall and wait for the completion email. Then connect with your key or password.

Good to know, and troubleshooting#

• I can't log in after reinstalling. Check you're using the right username (usually root on Linux) and the key or password you set. If you chose key-only and no key took effect, or you're locked out, reset the password from the Console / management page.
• My IP got blocked right after reinstalling. Repeated wrong-password attempts can trip the SSH firewall, whitelist your IP there.
• SSH warns "REMOTE HOST IDENTIFICATION HAS CHANGED". Normal after a reinstall, the fresh OS has a new host key. The one-line fix.
• The reinstall seems stuck. It's usually done within a few minutes; check the Tasks log and your email. If it's much longer, open a ticket.

Still need help?#

You can open a support ticket. So we can help on the first reply, it's worth mentioning:

• the VPS hostname or IP,
• the OS or app you reinstalled,
• what happens when you try to connect.

Related questions#

• "How do I reinstall my VPS?"
• "Will reinstalling delete my data?"
• "How do I switch my VPS to a different Linux distro?"
• "How do I install an app when I reinstall?"
• "How do I set up my SSH key during reinstall?"
• "I reinstalled and now I can't log in, what do I do?"