[GH-ISSUE #5034] SSH stuck in Waiting for authentication... on Linux client #10376

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opened 2026-08-05 01:25:41 -04:00 by saavagebueno · 2 comments
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Originally created by @CodingTil on GitHub (Jan 5, 2026).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/issues/5034

Describe the problem

When trying to ssh onto a peer, authentication times out. This issue occurs on the Linux client (Fedora and Ubuntu at least). It does not occur on the Mac client.

To Reproduce

Steps to reproduce the behavior:

  1. Start a client S with SSH enabled
  2. In the dashboard, create a new SSH Access policy to that server
  3. On your local client L, try to access S via ssh: netbird ssh <user>@S
  4. This will open up a SSO browser window, which you can accept:
Image Image
  1. Request times out:
netbird ssh <user>@S
SSH authentication required.
Please do the SSO login in your browser.
If your browser didn't open automatically, use this URL to log in:

<path to our SSO (KeyCloak)>

Waiting for authentication...
Failed to connect to <user>@S:22

Troubleshooting steps:
  1. Check peer connectivity: netbird status -d
  2. Verify SSH server is enabled on the peer
  3. Ensure correct hostname/IP is used
Error: dial S:22: request JWT token: wait for JWT token: rpc error: code = DeadlineExceeded desc = stream terminated by RST_STREAM with error code: CANCEL

Expected behavior

Authentication goes through and one is connected to S via SSH.

Are you using NetBird Cloud?

Self-Hosted

NetBird version

Management Server: v0.64.3
Client: v0.64.3
SSH Server: v0.64.3

Is any other VPN software installed?

No

Debug output

Server has SSH enabled, i.e., netbird status shows SSH Server: Enabled.

Additional context

Add any other context about the problem here.

Have you tried these troubleshooting steps?

  • Reviewed client troubleshooting (if applicable)
  • Checked for newer NetBird versions
  • Searched for similar issues on GitHub (including closed ones)
  • Restarted the NetBird client
  • Disabled other VPN software
  • Checked firewall settings
Originally created by @CodingTil on GitHub (Jan 5, 2026). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/issues/5034 **Describe the problem** When trying to ssh onto a peer, authentication times out. This issue occurs on the Linux client (Fedora and Ubuntu at least). It does not occur on the Mac client. **To Reproduce** Steps to reproduce the behavior: 1. Start a client S with SSH enabled 2. In the dashboard, create a new SSH Access policy to that server 3. On your local client L, try to access S via ssh: `netbird ssh <user>@S` 4. This will open up a SSO browser window, which you can accept: <img width="492" height="384" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/fe58d36b-de84-4197-aad3-a4131f15dba6" /> <img width="491" height="138" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/3de3395e-d8af-43d4-805a-c75ad39d268d" /> 5. Request times out: ``` netbird ssh <user>@S SSH authentication required. Please do the SSO login in your browser. If your browser didn't open automatically, use this URL to log in: <path to our SSO (KeyCloak)> Waiting for authentication... Failed to connect to <user>@S:22 Troubleshooting steps: 1. Check peer connectivity: netbird status -d 2. Verify SSH server is enabled on the peer 3. Ensure correct hostname/IP is used Error: dial S:22: request JWT token: wait for JWT token: rpc error: code = DeadlineExceeded desc = stream terminated by RST_STREAM with error code: CANCEL ``` **Expected behavior** Authentication goes through and one is connected to S via SSH. **Are you using NetBird Cloud?** Self-Hosted **NetBird version** Management Server: v0.64.3 Client: v0.64.3 SSH Server: v0.64.3 **Is any other VPN software installed?** No **Debug output** Server has SSH enabled, i.e., `netbird status` shows `SSH Server: Enabled`. **Additional context** Add any other context about the problem here. **Have you tried these troubleshooting steps?** - [X] Reviewed [client troubleshooting](https://docs.netbird.io/how-to/troubleshooting-client) (if applicable) - [X] Checked for newer NetBird versions - [X] Searched for similar issues on GitHub (including closed ones) - [X] Restarted the NetBird client - [X] Disabled other VPN software - [X] Checked firewall settings
saavagebueno added the triage-needed label 2026-08-05 01:25:41 -04:00
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Owner

@CodingTil commented on GitHub (Jan 30, 2026):

We tested it again on the v0.64.3 update. Issue persists.

After further investigation, this issue occurs for all of our teams Linux users, but none of our Mac users.

Thus, it seems to be a problem in the implementation of the Linux client.

I have updated the description of the issue.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3823545294 --> @CodingTil commented on GitHub (Jan 30, 2026): We tested it again on the v0.64.3 update. Issue persists. After further investigation, this issue occurs for all of our teams Linux users, but none of our Mac users. Thus, it seems to be a problem in the implementation of the Linux client. I have updated the description of the issue.
Author
Owner

@cmscotti commented on GitHub (May 26, 2026):

I have a similar possibly related issue. I show a successful login screen as well but receive the following instead of a timeout.

Waiting for authentication...
User authentication failed

Is there anything I can do to help with diagnosis?

<!-- gh-comment-id:4546319228 --> @cmscotti commented on GitHub (May 26, 2026): I have a similar possibly related issue. I show a successful login screen as well but receive the following instead of a timeout. ``` Waiting for authentication... User authentication failed ``` Is there anything I can do to help with diagnosis?
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Reference: DYNR/netbird#10376