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| 1 | +--- |
| 2 | +title: Error 1053 and OpenSSH Server Service Doesn't Start |
| 3 | +description: Discusses an issue in which you receive Error 1053 after you install OpenSSH Server and try to start the OpenSSH Server service. |
| 4 | +ms.date: 10/21/2025 |
| 5 | +manager: dcscontentpm |
| 6 | +audience: itpro |
| 7 | +ms.topic: troubleshooting |
| 8 | +ms.reviewer: warrenw, kaushika, v-appelgatet |
| 9 | +ms.custom: |
| 10 | +- sap:system management components\openssh (including sftp) |
| 11 | +- pcy:WinComm User Experience |
| 12 | +appliesto: |
| 13 | +- ✅ <a href=https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/release-health/windows-server-release-info target=_blank>Supported versions of Windows Server</a> |
| 14 | +- ✅ <a href=https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/release-health/supported-versions-windows-client target=_blank>Supported versions of Windows Client</a> |
| 15 | +--- |
| 16 | +# "Error 1053" and OpenSSH Server service doesn't start |
| 17 | + |
| 18 | +This article discusses an issue in which you install OpenSSH Server but then can't start the OpenSSH Server service. |
| 19 | + |
| 20 | +## Symptoms |
| 21 | + |
| 22 | +This issue might occur in situations that resemble the following scenarios. |
| 23 | + |
| 24 | +- Scenario 1 |
| 25 | + |
| 26 | + - You install Windows Server 2019 by using an image that includes the [January 14, 2025—KB5050008 (OS Build 17763.6775)](https://support.microsoft.com/topic/january-14-2025-kb5050008-os-build-17763-6775-9a174725-a7ea-4e37-a6f8-e86f7c4d3f31) cumulative Windows update, or a later cumulative update. |
| 27 | + - After setup finishes, you install OpenSSH Server, which is a Feature on Demand (FOD). You *don't* install OpenSSH Client at this time. |
| 28 | + |
| 29 | +- Scenario 2 |
| 30 | + |
| 31 | + - You have a computer that runs Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019, Windows 11, or Windows 10. |
| 32 | + - You install OpenSSH Server from the GitHub repository at [PowerShell/openssh-portable](https://github.com/PowerShell/openssh-portable) or [Win32-OpenSSH GitHub Releases](https://github.com/PowerShell/Win32-OpenSSH/releases). You *don't* install OpenSSH Client from this location. |
| 33 | + |
| 34 | +In either scenario, when you try to start the OpenSSH Server service, the service doesn't start. You receive the following error message: |
| 35 | + |
| 36 | +> Error 1053: The server did not respond to the start or control request in a timely fashion. |
| 37 | +
|
| 38 | +## Cause |
| 39 | + |
| 40 | +This issue occurs because the versions of OpenSSH Client, OpenSSH Server, and libcrypto.dll don't match. In these scenarios, the following events cause this mismatch: |
| 41 | + |
| 42 | +- Scenario 1: |
| 43 | + |
| 44 | + 1. When you install Windows Server (which includes OpenSSH Client and libcrypto.dll), the update installs automatically. |
| 45 | + 1. During this update process, Windows Update detects OpenSSH Client and libcrypto.dll, and updates them. Because OpenSSH Server isn't installed, Windows Update doesn't install that part of the update. |
| 46 | + 1. You install OpenSSH Server from Windows Update or from an offline image. The version that installs doesn't have the update, and the update isn't available on the computer to apply retroactively. |
| 47 | + |
| 48 | +- Scenario 2: |
| 49 | + |
| 50 | + 1. You install Windows or Windows Server, both of which include OpenSSH Client and libcrypto.dll. |
| 51 | + 1. Microsoft publishes a preview version of OpenSSH to the GitHub repositories at [PowerShell/openssh-portable](https://github.com/PowerShell/openssh-portable) or [Win32-OpenSSH GitHub Releases](https://github.com/PowerShell/Win32-OpenSSH/releases). |
| 52 | + 1. You install OpenSSH Server from one of the GitHub repositories. This action installs the preview version. |
| 53 | + |
| 54 | +In both scenarios, the OpenSSH Server version doesn't match the OpenSSH Client and libcrypto.dll versions. Therefore, OpenSSH Server can't start. |
| 55 | + |
| 56 | +## Resolution |
| 57 | + |
| 58 | +Select the method that's appropriate for your environment. |
| 59 | + |
| 60 | +### Method 1: Installing OpenSSH Server as a Feature on Demand by using Windows Update or an offline Windows image |
| 61 | + |
| 62 | +> [!IMPORTANT] |
| 63 | +> If you build or modify your own Windows images, make sure that you add any Language Packs first, then any Feature on Demand packages. Afterward, you can add applications and updates as described in [Add updates to a Windows image](/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/servicing-the-image-with-windows-updates-sxs). |
| 64 | +
|
| 65 | +After you install OpenSSH Server by using the Feature on Demand process, reinstall the most recent cumulative Windows update on that computer. |
| 66 | + |
| 67 | +### Method 2: Installing OpenSSH Server by using package files from a GitHub repository |
| 68 | + |
| 69 | +Install both the OpenSSH Server and the OpenSSH Client packages together, even if one of the OpenSSH components is already installed. |
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