[BUG]: SSH login does not work after writing image for Raspberry Pi 1B+ in version 1.9.6, but everything works fine in version 1.9.0.

[sumver]

What happened?

1.9.6 Raspberry Pi Imager after writing pre-downloaded system image for Raspberry Pi 1B+, no matter how I set the password, I always get a message that it's not correct Here's my Raspberry Pi Imager setup: username:sumver password:12345678 enable SSH:yes use password authentication:yes Otherwise, keep the defaults.

When I log in with ssh, I get the following message: SSHAuthFailError(All authentication methods failed)

I've tried to test the burn image several times with version 1.9.0, using the exact same settings, and SSH logs in correctly!

I've tested this with two Raspberry Pi 1B+, on both version 1.9.6 and 1.9.0, and I've concluded that there is a bug in version 1.9.6 that prevents SSH login.

Version

1.9.6 (Default)

What host operating system were you using?

Windows

Host OS Version

Win11 Version24H2

Selected OS

Raspberry Pi OS (Legacy) Lite-6 May 2025- Debian 11

Which Raspberry Pi Device are you using?

Raspberry Pi A, B, A+, B+, and Compute Module 1

What kind of storage device are you using?

microSD Card in an internal reader

OS Customisation

• [x] Yes, I was using OS Customisation when the bug occurred.

Relevant log output

[ggiuli-ethz]

Also having this issue, was not a problem in pervious versions

[EthanThePhoenix38]

Hi The same issue… Had to edit the config file manually to allow it… and to add it to systemd because it is changing back to wrong ssh config after reboot.

[sumkincpp]

Can confirm - ssh password auth doesn't work with 1.9.6 - tested several times with same pre-saved settings, works pretty well on 1.9.4 though.

probably the bug was introduced here https://github.com/raspberrypi/rpi-imager/pull/1113/files

[mauho]

I had the same problem but I was able to work around it. Raspberry Pi Imager automatically loads the ...ssh\id_rsa.pub key. Even if I select "Use password for authentication" the Imager will work with the key.

If I switch to key authentication, then delete the key, then switch back to password and write the image, I'm able to connect via username password

[danielwdunn]

I was able to reproduce this issue for a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W.

[hraftery]

I had the same problem but I was able to work around it.

Confirmed! You can verify by re-inserting the SD Card and re-selecting it in Imager - if the bug is in effect, the SSH option will have reverted to key authentication. After using the workaround, password authentication remains selected!

FWIW, if I don't use the workaround I get "Permission denied (publickey)" when attempting to ssh in. I don't know why the key authentication (even if it wasn't my intended choice) doesn't work either.

I swear every time I commission a Pi (must be hundreds of times over decades now) it takes longer and is more frustrating...

[daz]

Still an issue on RPI 4B. Password access for SSH isn’t working, and neither is adding a ed25519 key.

[JimmyPedersen]

Yes, please release a new version with this fixed. I just spent 30 minutes working around this. This is a very bad experience for first time users (And other not so experienced users)