SSH Agent Refusing All Operation On 2025.4.3

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Introduction

As a user of Bitwarden, a popular password manager, you may have encountered issues with the SSH agent refusing all operations on 2025.4.3. This problem can be frustrating, especially when you need to make signed commits or connect to remote SSH servers. In this article, we will delve into the steps to reproduce the issue, the expected and actual results, and provide additional context to help you understand the problem.

Steps To Reproduce

To reproduce the issue, follow these steps:

  1. Enable SSH Agent in Bitwarden: First, ensure that the SSH agent is enabled in Bitwarden. You can do this by going to the Bitwarden settings and enabling the SSH agent.
  2. Create a .gitconfig File: Create a .gitconfig file with the following key fields (other fields omitted):
[user]
        signingkey = ssh-rsa <MY_PUBLIC_KEY>
[core]
        sshCommand = C:/Windows/System32/OpenSSH/ssh.exe
[gpg "ssh"]
        program = C:/Windows/System32/OpenSSH/ssh-keygen.exe
[commit]
        gpgsign = true
[gpg]
        format = ssh
  1. Try to Commit in a Git Repository: Try to commit in a Git repository using the command git commit -m "test".
  2. Try to Connect to a Remote SSH Server: Alternatively, try to connect to a remote SSH server using the command ssh myuser@myhost.

Expected Result

You expect to be able to make signed commits and connect to remote SSH servers after accepting the prompt Bitwarden gives.

Actual Result

However, when you try to commit or connect to a remote SSH server, you get the following error:

sign_and_send_pubkey: signing failed for RSA "<mykey>" from agent: agent refused operation

This error occurs both from WSL (using npiperelay) and from Windows itself.

Screenshots or Videos

Unfortunately, there are no screenshots or videos available to demonstrate the issue.

Additional Context

The problem does not exist on the 2025.3.0 version, suggesting that it is a regression.

Operating System

The operating system affected by this issue is Windows.

Operating System Version

The operating system version is Enterprise 24H2 26100.3775.

Installation Method

The installation method used is Direct Download from bitwarden.com.

Build Version

The build version affected by this issue is 2025.4.2.

Issue Tracking Info

  • [x] I understand that work is tracked outside of GitHub. A PR will be linked to this issue should one be opened to address it, but Bitwarden doesn't use fields like "assigned", "milestone", or "project" to track progress.

Troubleshooting the Issue

To troubleshoot the issue, you can try the following:

  1. Check the SSH Agent: Ensure that the SSH agent is enabled and running.
  2. Check the .gitconfig File: Verify that the .gitconfig file correctly configured and that the signing key is set correctly.
  3. Check the SSH Connection: Ensure that the SSH connection is established correctly and that the remote server is reachable.

Conclusion

The SSH agent refusing all operations on 2025.4.3 is a frustrating issue that can prevent you from making signed commits or connecting to remote SSH servers. By following the steps to reproduce the issue and troubleshooting the problem, you can identify the root cause of the issue and potentially resolve it. If you are experiencing this issue, we recommend checking the SSH agent, .gitconfig file, and SSH connection to ensure that everything is correctly configured.

Common Solutions

Here are some common solutions to the SSH agent refusing all operations issue:

  1. Disable and Re-enable the SSH Agent: Try disabling and re-enabling the SSH agent to see if it resolves the issue.
  2. Update the SSH Client: Ensure that the SSH client is up-to-date and that you are using the latest version.
  3. Check the SSH Configuration: Verify that the SSH configuration is correctly set up and that the signing key is set correctly.
  4. Check the Remote Server: Ensure that the remote server is reachable and that the SSH connection is established correctly.

Additional Resources

If you are still experiencing issues with the SSH agent refusing all operations, you can try the following additional resources:

  1. Bitwarden Documentation: Check the Bitwarden documentation for troubleshooting guides and FAQs related to the SSH agent.
  2. Bitwarden Community Forum: Post on the Bitwarden community forum to ask for help and advice from other users who may have experienced similar issues.
  3. Bitwarden Support: Contact Bitwarden support for further assistance and guidance.

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the issue of the SSH agent refusing all operations on 2025.4.3. In this article, we will provide a Q&A section to help you better understand the issue and its potential solutions.

Q: What is the SSH agent and why is it important?

A: The SSH agent is a program that manages your SSH keys and allows you to use them to authenticate with remote servers. It is an essential component of the SSH protocol and is used to securely connect to remote servers.

Q: What causes the SSH agent to refuse all operations?

A: The SSH agent can refuse all operations due to a variety of reasons, including:

  • Incorrect SSH key configuration: If the SSH key is not correctly configured, the SSH agent may refuse to use it.
  • SSH client issues: Problems with the SSH client, such as outdated versions or incorrect configuration, can cause the SSH agent to refuse all operations.
  • Remote server issues: Issues with the remote server, such as incorrect SSH configuration or firewall rules, can prevent the SSH agent from connecting.

Q: How do I troubleshoot the SSH agent refusing all operations issue?

A: To troubleshoot the issue, follow these steps:

  1. Check the SSH agent logs: Review the SSH agent logs to see if there are any error messages that can help identify the issue.
  2. Verify the SSH key configuration: Ensure that the SSH key is correctly configured and that the signing key is set correctly.
  3. Check the SSH client version: Ensure that the SSH client is up-to-date and that you are using the latest version.
  4. Check the remote server configuration: Verify that the remote server is correctly configured and that the SSH connection is established correctly.

Q: Can I disable the SSH agent and use a different method to authenticate?

A: Yes, you can disable the SSH agent and use a different method to authenticate, such as using a password or a different authentication method. However, this may not be the most secure option and may require additional configuration.

Q: How do I update the SSH client to the latest version?

A: To update the SSH client to the latest version, follow these steps:

  1. Check the official website: Visit the official website of the SSH client you are using to see if there are any updates available.
  2. Download the latest version: Download the latest version of the SSH client and install it.
  3. Verify the installation: Verify that the SSH client is correctly installed and configured.

Q: Can I use a different SSH client instead of the one provided by Bitwarden?

A: Yes, you can use a different SSH client instead of the one provided by Bitwarden. However, this may require additional configuration and may not be supported by Bitwarden.

Q: How do I contact Bitwarden support for further assistance?

A: To contact Bitwarden support for further assistance, follow these steps:

  1. Visit the Bitwarden website: Visit the Bitwarden website and on the "Support" tab.
  2. Submit a ticket: Submit a ticket to Bitwarden support with a detailed description of the issue and any relevant information.
  3. Wait for a response: Wait for a response from Bitwarden support, which may take several hours or days.

Conclusion

The SSH agent refusing all operations on 2025.4.3 is a frustrating issue that can prevent you from making signed commits or connecting to remote SSH servers. By following the troubleshooting steps and Q&A section, you can identify the root cause of the issue and potentially resolve it. If you are experiencing this issue, we recommend checking the SSH agent logs, verifying the SSH key configuration, and updating the SSH client to the latest version.