How To Use SSH Raspberry Pi Behind Firewall On Windows: The Ultimate Guide

Miss Viviane Nienow DVM 07 May 2025

Have you ever tried to access your Raspberry Pi via SSH while it's behind a firewall, only to find yourself stuck? Don’t worry, you're not alone. SSH (Secure Shell) is one of the most powerful tools for remote access, but when firewalls get in the way, things can get tricky. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to use SSH Raspberry Pi behind a firewall on Windows like a pro.

SSH is more than just a tool—it’s your gateway to controlling your Raspberry Pi remotely. Whether you’re setting up a home server, running a media center, or tinkering with IoT projects, being able to SSH into your Pi is essential. But what happens when a firewall blocks your connection? That’s where this guide comes in handy.

We’ll cover everything from understanding firewalls and SSH basics to advanced techniques like port forwarding, setting up a reverse SSH tunnel, and troubleshooting common issues. By the end of this article, you’ll have all the knowledge you need to access your Raspberry Pi securely, even when it’s behind a firewall. Let’s dive in!

Understanding SSH and Firewalls
Setting Up SSH on Raspberry Pi
How Firewalls Affect SSH Connections
Using Port Forwarding to Access Raspberry Pi
Setting Up a Reverse SSH Tunnel
Connecting to Raspberry Pi from Windows
Tools You Need for SSH Access
Troubleshooting Common SSH Issues
Security Best Practices for SSH
Conclusion: Mastering SSH Behind Firewalls

Understanding SSH and Firewalls

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s break down what SSH and firewalls are, and why they matter. SSH, or Secure Shell, is a cryptographic network protocol that lets you securely access and manage remote devices. Think of it like a secret handshake that allows you to communicate with your Raspberry Pi over the internet without anyone eavesdropping.

Now, firewalls are like bouncers at a club—they decide who gets in and who doesn’t. A firewall can block incoming connections to your Raspberry Pi, making it impossible to SSH into it from outside your local network. But don’t panic! There are ways to bypass these restrictions without compromising security.

Why Is SSH Important for Raspberry Pi?

SSH is the backbone of remote administration for Raspberry Pi. It allows you to:

Access your Pi from anywhere in the world.
Run commands and scripts remotely.
Transfer files securely using SCP (Secure Copy Protocol).
Set up headless configurations without needing a monitor or keyboard.

Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional, mastering SSH is a must-have skill for anyone working with Raspberry Pi.

Setting Up SSH on Raspberry Pi

Before you can SSH into your Raspberry Pi, you need to make sure SSH is enabled on the device. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Enable SSH on Raspberry Pi

To enable SSH on your Raspberry Pi, follow these steps:

Boot up your Raspberry Pi and log in.
Open the terminal and type sudo raspi-config.
Use the arrow keys to navigate to “Interfacing Options” and hit Enter.
Select “SSH” and enable it.
Reboot your Raspberry Pi by typing sudo reboot.

That’s it! SSH is now enabled on your Raspberry Pi.

Step 2: Find Your Pi’s IP Address

To connect to your Raspberry Pi via SSH, you’ll need its IP address. You can find it by typing hostname -I in the terminal. Make sure to note this down—it’s crucial for establishing a connection.

How Firewalls Affect SSH Connections

Firewalls are designed to protect your network from unauthorized access. While this is great for security, it can also block legitimate connections, like SSH. Most firewalls block incoming traffic on port 22, which is the default port for SSH. This means that even if SSH is enabled on your Raspberry Pi, you won’t be able to access it remotely unless you configure your firewall properly.

There are two main types of firewalls to consider:

Software Firewalls: These are installed on your router or computer and control incoming and outgoing traffic.
Hardware Firewalls: These are built into your router and act as the first line of defense for your network.

Both types of firewalls can block SSH connections, so you’ll need to configure them accordingly.

Using Port Forwarding to Access Raspberry Pi

Port forwarding is one of the most common ways to bypass firewall restrictions and access your Raspberry Pi via SSH. Here’s how it works:

When you enable port forwarding on your router, you tell it to direct incoming traffic on a specific port (in this case, port 22) to a specific device on your network (your Raspberry Pi). This allows you to SSH into your Pi from outside your local network.

Step-by-Step Guide to Port Forwarding

Here’s how to set up port forwarding for SSH:

Log in to your router’s admin interface. This is usually done by typing 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 into your browser.
Find the “Port Forwarding” or “Virtual Server” section in your router’s settings.
Add a new rule and set the following parameters:
- Service Name: SSH
- External Port: 22
- Internal Port: 22
- IP Address: Your Raspberry Pi’s IP address
- Protocol: TCP
Save the changes and restart your router.

Once port forwarding is set up, you should be able to SSH into your Raspberry Pi using its public IP address.

Setting Up a Reverse SSH Tunnel

What if you can’t configure your router or don’t want to expose your network to the internet? That’s where a reverse SSH tunnel comes in. A reverse SSH tunnel allows you to establish a secure connection from your Raspberry Pi to a remote server, which you can then use to access your Pi.

How to Create a Reverse SSH Tunnel

Here’s how to set up a reverse SSH tunnel:

Create an account on a remote server (e.g., a VPS provider like DigitalOcean).
On your Raspberry Pi, run the following command:
ssh -R 2222:localhost:22 user@remote-server
This command creates a reverse tunnel that forwards traffic from port 2222 on the remote server to port 22 on your Raspberry Pi.
To access your Raspberry Pi, SSH into the remote server and connect to localhost:2222.

With a reverse SSH tunnel, you can access your Raspberry Pi securely without exposing it to the internet.

Connecting to Raspberry Pi from Windows

Now that your Raspberry Pi is set up and accessible, it’s time to connect to it from your Windows machine. There are several ways to do this, but the most popular method is using PuTTY, a free SSH client for Windows.

How to Use PuTTY to Connect to Raspberry Pi

Here’s how to connect to your Raspberry Pi using PuTTY:

Download and install PuTTY from the official website.
Open PuTTY and enter your Raspberry Pi’s IP address or public IP address (if using port forwarding) in the “Host Name” field.
Set the port to 22 (or the custom port you configured).
Click “Open” to establish the connection.
Log in using your Raspberry Pi’s username and password.

That’s it! You’re now connected to your Raspberry Pi via SSH.

Tools You Need for SSH Access

To make the most of SSH, you’ll need a few tools. Here are some of the best ones:

PuTTY: A free SSH client for Windows.
WinSCP: A file transfer tool that works seamlessly with SSH.
Bitvise SSH Client: A powerful SSH client with advanced features.
OpenSSH: A built-in SSH client for Windows 10 and later.

Choose the tool that best fits your needs and start exploring the world of SSH.

Troubleshooting Common SSH Issues

Even with the best setup, things can go wrong. Here are some common SSH issues and how to fix them:

Connection Refused: Double-check your IP address, port number, and firewall settings.
Authentication Failed: Make sure you’re using the correct username and password.
Timeout Errors: Ensure your Raspberry Pi is connected to the internet and try restarting your router.

If you’re still having trouble, consult the official Raspberry Pi documentation or reach out to the community for help.

Security Best Practices for SSH

Security should always be a top priority when using SSH. Here are some best practices to keep your Raspberry Pi safe:

Use strong, unique passwords for SSH access.
Disable root login to prevent unauthorized access.
Change the default SSH port (22) to a custom port.
Use SSH keys instead of passwords for authentication.
Regularly update your Raspberry Pi’s software to patch security vulnerabilities.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your Raspberry Pi remains secure, even when it’s behind a firewall.

Conclusion: Mastering SSH Behind Firewalls

SSH is an incredibly powerful tool for accessing and managing your Raspberry Pi remotely. While firewalls can make things more complicated, with the right techniques—like port forwarding and reverse SSH tunnels—you can overcome these obstacles and access your Pi securely from anywhere in the world.

We’ve covered everything from enabling SSH on your Raspberry Pi to troubleshooting common issues and securing your connections. Now it’s your turn to put this knowledge into practice. Whether you’re setting up a home server, running IoT projects, or just tinkering around, mastering SSH will take your Raspberry Pi skills to the next level.

Got questions or feedback? Leave a comment below, share this article with your friends, and don’t forget to check out our other guides for more Raspberry Pi tips and tricks. Happy hacking!

How To Access Remote Ssh Raspberry Pi Behind Firewall On Windows

How to Connect via SSH to a Raspberry Pi Tony Teaches Tech

SSH Remote control your Raspberry Pi — Raspberry Pi Official Magazine

The Beginning Of Fatherhood