PowerAutomate SFTP Connection Failure

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PowerAutomate SFTP Connection Failure

Martyn Hickey 0

Hi All,

I'm trying to set up a flow in Power Automate to access an SFTP site and move some files into a sharepoint location.

I have set up the connection 'successfully' as shown below, but when I try and use the connection in a flow-step, it gives me the error:
There was a problem using the 'shared-sftpwithssh-da1f6085-166b-4c78-9b50-733a08960bee' connection to access 'TGSS SFTP'. Try again, and if the problem persists, trychecking to see if the current connection should be fixed, switching to a different connection, or creating a new connection.

When I follow that link, it takes me to this page:
Screenshot 2025-11-17 at 11.08.32

Which shows that the connection is valid.

I have tried using other tools such as FileZilla to connect to this SFTP and been successful with the same key.

Any ideas would be appreciated to resolve.

Thanks in advance!

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Anonymous

Hi, thanks for sharing the details and the screenshot.

The connection showing as valid means your credentials and key are accepted, but the error in the flow usually happens because the connector can’t actually reach the SFTP server during execution.

This is often due to missing IP whitelisting for Microsoft’s Power Automate service or an issue with the authentication format.

First, confirm the SFTP host and port match what works in FileZilla, and check if your private key is in OpenSSH format without a passphrase.

Also, make sure the folder path in your flow starts with a forward slash, like http://incoming/files.

If your server uses IP restrictions, you’ll need to whitelist Microsoft’s Power Platform IP ranges for your region.

Can you confirm if you’re using a username and password or a private key, and whether your SFTP server has any IP filtering in place?

Regards,
Aron

Martyn Hickey 0 Reputation points

2025-11-17T14:40:55.87+00:00

Hi Aron,

Yes there is username and private key being used, and there is no IP whitelisting as myself and a colleague have both accessed via Filezilla from different locations.
The root folder is the same as the one that is used in FZ.
Anonymous

2025-11-17T14:59:02.7133333+00:00

Got it, thanks for clarifying that you’re using a username with a private key and there’s no IP restriction.

Since FileZilla works fine, the issue is likely with how Power Automate handles SSH keys.

The connector only supports OpenSSH format keys without a passphrase, so if your key was generated in PuTTY format or has a passphrase, it won’t work even though the connection shows as valid.

Another thing to check is whether the SFTP server enforces specific ciphers or key types like ed25519, because Power Automate currently supports RSA keys only.

Here’s what I suggest: verify the key format and remove any passphrase, then re-upload it in the connector settings.

Also, confirm the folder path in your flow starts with / and matches the root directory.

Quick question, do you know what type of key you’re using (RSA, ed25519, or something else), and does the key have a passphrase?
Martyn Hickey 0 Reputation points

2025-11-17T15:44:38.32+00:00

Hi Aron,

There hasnt been a passphrase needed at any point, or included so far - so I dont think thats the source of the error.

My key is OpenSSH, but it was provided by a third party so I can't say (without going back and checking) if its RSA, eds etc.

The folder path has been set to both '/' and '/<foldername>' with no success on either.
Anonymous

2025-11-17T16:30:51.9966667+00:00

Thanks for confirming those details.

Since the key is OpenSSH and has no passphrase, the next likely issue is the key type or the SFTP connector’s compatibility.

Power Automate’s built-in SFTP connector currently supports RSA keys only, so if the third party provided an ed25519 or ecdsa key, the connection will validate but fail during runtime, exactly what you’re seeing.

The folder path sounds correct, so that’s not the culprit. Here’s what I’d suggest: check the key type by opening the file and looking at the first line (it should start with ssh-rsa for RSA).

If it’s not RSA, you’ll need to generate or request an RSA key from the provider and update the connector.
Martyn Hickey 0 Reputation points

2025-11-17T16:42:28.06+00:00

Hi aron,

This might be the issue, when you say the first line do you mean the header or the start of the key?
Garry Barnes 0 Reputation points

2026-05-06T18:40:24.0733333+00:00

Hello there. I am experiencing the same issue. How did you end up getting it resolved?

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PowerAutomate SFTP Connection Failure

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