> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.hostcloud.in/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Use the browser console and rescue mode

> Get into your Linux VPS when SSH isn't working.

If you can't connect with SSH, for example after a firewall mistake or a forgotten password, you can still reach your server. This guide shows you the browser console and rescue mode.

## Browser console

The console shows your server's screen in your browser, as if a monitor and keyboard were plugged into it. It works even when SSH and the network setup inside the server are broken.

**1. Open the server panel**

In the Client Area, click **Services** in the top menu, then open your VPS.

**2. Open the console**

Click **Console** at the top of the server panel. A console window opens.

![The VPS server panel with the Power, Restart and Console buttons at the top right](https://mintcdn.com/host-cloud/RZlILv_TrgPxefdL/images/vps/server-overview.jpg?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=RZlILv_TrgPxefdL\&q=85\&s=335384bf9e80dd37a30fb714ae01d1bc)

**3. Log in**

Click inside the console window, type `root`, press **Enter**, then type your root password. Nothing appears while you type the password. That's normal.

Once you're in, fix the problem. For example:

| Problem | What to try in the console |
| - | - |
| Firewall is blocking SSH | `ufw allow OpenSSH` (Ubuntu/Debian) or `firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=ssh && firewall-cmd --reload` (AlmaLinux/Rocky/Fedora) |
| SSH settings broken | Undo your changes in `/etc/ssh/sshd_config`, then restart SSH |
| Forgot root password | Reset it on the **Overview** tab under **Root Credentials** instead |

> [!TIP]
>
> Pasting into the console doesn't always work, and the keyboard layout may differ from yours. Type carefully, and keep commands short.

## Rescue mode

If your server won't start at all, rescue mode starts it from a separate, temporary system. From there you can reach your server's disk to copy files off or fix settings.

The rescue system runs Linux. Your server's disk, with your operating system, software and data, is already mounted for you, so you can open and fix files.

**1. Open the Reinstall tab**

On the server panel, click the **Reinstall** tab and scroll down to **Rescue Mode**.

**2. Start rescue mode**

Click **Start Rescue Mode**. Your server restarts into the rescue system.

**3. Fix the problem**

Click **Console** and log in as `root` with your server's root password. You'll find it under **Root Credentials** on the **Overview** tab. Then copy files off, or repair the settings that stopped your server from starting.

**4. Go back to normal**

When you're done, click **Restart**. Your server starts your normal operating system again.

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Start Rescue Mode** is in the **Reinstall** tab, but it doesn't reinstall anything or delete your data.

> [!WARNING]
>
> Rescue mode is for experienced users. Changing the wrong files can stop your server from starting. If you're not sure, [open a ticket](/support/open-a-ticket.md) first.

## Still locked out?

* **Power** lets you stop, shut down or restart the server, and **Restart** reboots it.
* As a last resort, you can [reinstall the operating system](/vps/reinstall-the-operating-system.md). This deletes everything on the server.

Still stuck? [Open a ticket](/support/open-a-ticket.md) with your server's IP address and what happened.


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