How To

How to Enable SSH on Raspberry Pi – The Easiest Guide

Here is the quick and easy guide on how to enable SSH on Raspberry Pi device. This feature allows you to give commands to your Raspberry Pi through the terminal and that from the host PC.

The modern Raspberry Pi versions do not come with the enabled SSH by default. So you have to do it manually. Let’s look at the methods to complete this process quickly.

Turn on SSH Raspberry Pi

Before mentioning about the ways to enable SSH, have a look at the things you will need:

Connect all the components with your Raspberry Pi. If you prefer to use a wireless network, then use the WiFi adapter to connect the Raspberry Pi to the internet network. And if you want a seamless, uninterrupted wired network, then use the Ethernet cable to establish the connection between your router and Pi board. Then follow the methods mentioned below to enable SSH on Raspberry Pi setup.

Method-1: Using Raspberry Pi Terminal

You have to open the LX Terminal and then enter the command mentioned below:

sudo  raspi-config

You will see a list of options here. Look for the ‘Advanced Options’ at number 7 and click on it.

advanced options

Now, the advanced configuration settings window will open. In that, go to ‘SSH’ option which displays the message of enable or disable ssh server. Choose that and select ‘Yes’ when asked.

enable or disable ssh server

Click back > finish. The terminal will be closed, and SSH is enabled.

Method-2: Using the Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Though the command prompt method is easy, the beginners prefer to use the GUI to turn on SSH on their Raspberry Pi boards. It’s an easier process than the terminal process.

Go to settings in your system. Navigate to ‘preferences’ and select the ‘Raspberry Pi Configuration” option.  

Using the Graphical User Interface

Now, look for the tab of ‘Interfaces’ and find ‘SSH’ in that. Tick the box of the ‘Enabled’ and click on ‘Ok’ button. You have done now.

Interfaces’ and ‘SSH

But, wait. What will you do if you have a headless Pi? Let’s see how to enable SSH on the Raspberry Pi without a monitor.

Step-1: Insert your SD card preloaded with Raspberry Pi OS in your PC

Step-2:  Now, go to the boot directory using command prompt

Step-3: In that, create an ssh file by entering command ‘touch ssh.’  If the file is already present, then the ssh will be turned on at the time of reboot of Raspberry Pi.

Step-4: Remove the SD card from the PC and attach it with your Pi. Plugin the power supply and establish the network connection through Ethernet or WiFi adapter.

That’s it.

SSH on Raspberry Pi

The main advantage of the Secure Shell (SSH) is that it will allow you have remote access to your Pi from any other computing device present on the same network. So, in other words, it creates a client-server connection between the Raspberry Pi and your computer where the Raspberry Pi acts as a server and the PC or any other device as a client.

Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below.

Jessica Ward

Hey! I am Jessica Ward. I love to write about technology and learn or thinking about latest techno. And my forever ever love technology project is Raspberry Pi. I do and know more or more for Raspberry Pi.

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