# WARNING: REMOTE HOST IDENTIFICATION HAS CHANGED
Source: https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/troubleshooting/host-identification-changed
Last reviewed: 2026-07-02
Summary: The scary SSH warning is normal after reinstalling your VPS, the OS regenerates its host key and your computer notices the mismatch. Remove the old key with ssh-keygen -R and reconnect. When you haven't reinstalled, treat it seriously.

## What this is

You try to SSH in and get a wall of `@` symbols shouting:

```
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
@    WARNING: REMOTE HOST IDENTIFICATION HAS CHANGED!     @
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOMEONE IS DOING SOMETHING NASTY!
...
Host key verification failed.
```

## Why it happens

Every SSH server has a **host key** that identifies it, and your computer saves it (in `~/.ssh/known_hosts`) the first time you connect. When you [reinstall your VPS](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/client-area/services/reinstall-os), the fresh OS generates a **new** host key. Your computer sees the same IP presenting a different identity, exactly what a man-in-the-middle attack would look like, and refuses to connect. Scary wording, routine cause.

## The fix

Remove the old key for your VPS, using the same address you SSH with (IP or hostname):

```
ssh-keygen -R YOUR.VPS.IP
```

Then connect again and accept the new key at the prompt. That's it. (The warning message also names the exact `known_hosts` line if you'd rather delete it by hand.)

## When to take it seriously

If you get this warning and you **haven't** reinstalled the VPS (and we haven't notified you of maintenance that would explain it), don't just bypass it, verify before typing your password anywhere. Log in through the **[Console](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/client-area/services/managing-your-vps)** (which doesn't go over SSH), compare the server's actual host key fingerprint (`ssh-keygen -lf /etc/ssh/ssh_host_ed25519_key.pub`) with what the warning shows, and if they don't match, [contact us](https://vpsdime.com/open-ticket/).

## Related questions

- "What does REMOTE HOST IDENTIFICATION HAS CHANGED mean?"
- "I reinstalled my VPS and now SSH refuses to connect."
- "How do I fix host key verification failed?"
- "Is the host key warning an actual attack?"