---
id: 44e2b486-ecc3-46a4-aac3-4ef21b308c9b
type: fix
title: "SSH IdentitiesOnly needed to prevent too many auth failures with agent"
tags: [ssh, homelab, configuration, fix]
importance: 0.6
confidence: 0.8
created: "2026-02-20T15:37:22.514346+00:00"
updated: "2026-02-20T15:37:22.514346+00:00"
---

SSH to n8n failed with too many auth failures despite correct key in config. SSH agent was offering multiple keys before the configured IdentityFile. Fix: added IdentitiesOnly yes to Host wildcard and specific entries in ~/.ssh/config. Lesson: any SSH config host with IdentityFile should also set IdentitiesOnly yes when SSH agent has multiple keys loaded.