Beginners • Couldn't SSH into Pi Zero 2W for Pi-hole setup

# Forum Post: Pi Zero 2W SSH Connection Issue

**Subject:** Couldn't SSH into Pi Zero 2W for Pi-hole setup

---

**Problem Summary:**
Unable to connect to Raspberry Pi Zero 2W via SSH despite multiple configuration attempts. Pi connects to WiFi successfully but SSH port remains closed/filtered.

**Hardware:**
- Raspberry Pi Zero 2W
- 32GB SD card
- Mercusys router (2.4GHz WiFi)
- Windows 11 PC with WSL

**Software:**
- Raspberry Pi OS Lite (32-bit) - Latest version
- Raspberry Pi Imager for flashing V-2.0.3

**Network Status:**
- Pi appears in router as "mspihole" at 192.168.0.103
- Static IP reserved via DHCP
- Ping shows "Destination host unreachable"
- nmap shows port 22 as "filtered"

**What I've Tried:**

**Attempt 1: Manual SSH File Creation**
- Inserted SD card after flashing
- Attempted to create empty "ssh" file in boot partition
- Tried multiple methods:
- Windows File Explorer (suspected saved as ssh.txt)
- PowerShell: `New-Item -Path "ssh" -ItemType File`
- PowerShell: `echo. > ssh`
- Command Prompt: `type nul > ssh`
- File either wouldn't save or wasn't recognized by Pi

**Attempt 2: USB Gadget Mode Configuration**
Modified config files on boot partition:

config.txt - Added at end:
```
dtoverlay=dwc2
```

cmdline.txt - Added after rootwait (single line):
```
modules-load=dwc2,g_ether
```

- Connected micro USB to DATA port (middle port)
- USB Ethernet adapter didn't appear in Device Manager
- No network connection established

**Attempt 3: Raspberry Pi Imager with SSH Pre-enabled**
- Used Ctrl+Shift+X to access advanced options
- Configured before writing:
- Hostname: mspihole
- Enable SSH (password authentication)
- Username: piuser / Password: [set]
- WiFi SSID and password (verified correct)
- WiFi country: IN
- Locale: Asia/Kolkata
- Flashed successfully
- Pi connected to WiFi (confirmed in router)
- SSH still times out

**Connection Attempts:**
```bash
# All failed with "Connection timed out"
ssh piuser@192.168.0.103
ssh piuser@mspihole.local
ssh piuser@mspihole

# nmap results
nmap -Pn -p 22 192.168.0.103
PORT STATE SERVICE
22/tcp filtered ssh
```

**Current Status:**
- Pi boots successfully (green LED activity normal)
- WiFi connection established (shows in router)
- No network traffic (0 B/s upstream/downstream)
- SSH port completely inaccessible
- No monitor/keyboard available for direct access

**Questions:**
1. Why would Raspberry Pi Imager's SSH setting not apply despite successful WiFi configuration?
2. Is there a known bug with Pi Zero 2W and SSH auto-enable?
3. Could the SD card or specific hardware be blocking the ssh file from being read?
4. Any other remote access methods to enable SSH without physical access?

**Additional Notes:**
- Tried on multiple fresh SD card images
- Router has no firewall rules blocking port 22
- Other devices can SSH to each other on same network
- This is for a Pi-hole ad-blocking DNS server setup

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Statistics: Posted by manikandan_ms — Sat Dec 27, 2025 11:08 am — Replies 9 — Views 83

---