Connect To Your Raspberry Pi Remotely: SSH From Windows 10 Behind A Router

Jaylan Gibson 27 Jul 2025

Have you ever wanted to tinker with your Raspberry Pi, perhaps check on a project, or grab a file, but you were away from home? Maybe you are sitting at your Windows 10 computer in a different part of the house, or even miles away, and you just wish you could get to your little computer. Well, you are not alone, and it is actually quite possible to make this happen. Connecting to your Raspberry Pi from a distance, especially when it is tucked away behind your home router, is a really common desire for many people who enjoy tech projects.

This whole idea of connecting to something "remote" is pretty interesting, isn't it? Like, in a way, it is similar to how some work teams operate completely from separate locations, gathering just once a year. Or, you know, how you might manage game save files that live somewhere else, needing to move them around or delete old cache files. Getting your Pi to respond to your commands from afar feels a bit like that, giving you a lot more freedom with your projects. So, let's explore how you can make your Raspberry Pi a truly accessible device, no matter where you are, using your Windows 10 machine.

It can seem a little tricky at first, what with routers and network settings, but honestly, it is something many folks figure out. This guide will walk you through the steps, making sure you get your Raspberry Pi talking to your Windows 10 computer, even when there is a router in the way. You will see, it is not as hard as it might appear, and the payoff is a lot of convenience. So, anyway, let's get into the details of making this happen for your setup.

Why Connect to Your Raspberry Pi Remotely?
- Managing Your Pi from Anywhere
- Automating Tasks and Projects
The Challenge: Your Router and Network Security
Getting Your Raspberry Pi Ready for Remote Access
- Setting Up SSH on Your Pi
- Giving Your Pi a Static Local IP
Opening Up Your Router: Port Forwarding Steps
- Accessing Your Router's Settings
- Creating the Port Forward Rule
Finding Your Way Home: Dynamic DNS Solutions
Connecting from Windows 10: Your Remote Control Center
- Using PuTTY or Windows Terminal
- The SSH Command Explained
Keeping Things Safe: Security Tips for Remote Access
Common Hurdles and Quick Fixes

Why Connect to Your Raspberry Pi Remotely?

Having your Raspberry Pi available from a distance opens up a lot of possibilities. It means your little computer is not just tied to your desk or TV. You can put it in a closet, or maybe even in a remote shed, and still work with it. This kind of access is pretty handy for many different projects, so you see, it really broadens what you can do.

Managing Your Pi from Anywhere

Think about it: you could be at a coffee shop, or at a friend's place, and still check on your Pi. Maybe you need to start a program, or grab some data it has collected. This is a bit like how some people manage their game saves remotely, needing to put files in a "remote" folder and then maybe delete cache files after using them. You get to control your Pi without being right next to it, which is a big deal for convenience. So, anyway, it is a truly freeing feeling.

Automating Tasks and Projects

Many Raspberry Pi projects involve automation, like monitoring your home, controlling smart devices, or running a small server. If you can access your Pi remotely, you can adjust these systems, check their status, or even fix problems without having to go home. This makes your Pi projects much more flexible, and you can truly keep an eye on things, even when you are not physically present. That, is pretty neat, if you ask me.

The Challenge: Your Router and Network Security

The main thing that makes remote access a bit tricky is your home router. It is there to protect your home network, and it does a pretty good job of keeping outside connections from just walking in. This protection is good, but it means we need to tell the router to let certain connections through. It is a bit like a gatekeeper, you know, making sure only invited guests come in. So, we have to talk to it just right.

What's a Router, Really?

Your router is the device that connects your home network to the internet. It gives all your devices, like your phone, computer, and Raspberry Pi, a local address. When something from the internet wants to talk to your Pi, it first talks to your router. The router then decides if that message is allowed to go through to your Pi. It is a very important piece of equipment for your home network, so you might say, it does a lot of heavy lifting.

The Role of Port Forwarding

Port forwarding is how you tell your router to send specific types of internet traffic to a particular device on your home network. For SSH, we are talking about traffic on a specific "port." You are essentially creating a direct path through your router's firewall for that SSH connection to reach your Raspberry Pi. This is how you avoid those "403 forbidden" messages that sometimes pop up when a website blocks you; you are telling your router, "This connection is okay, send it to my Pi!" So, this step is pretty important.

Dealing with Dynamic IP Addresses

Most home internet connections have what is called a "dynamic IP address." This means the public address your internet provider gives you can change over time. If it changes, your remote connection will break because you are trying to connect to an old address. This is where Dynamic DNS, or DDNS, comes in handy. It helps keep track of your changing IP address, making sure you can always find your Pi. That, is a very clever solution, if you think about it.

Getting Your Raspberry Pi Ready for Remote Access

Before you start messing with your router, your Raspberry Pi needs to be set up correctly. This involves making sure SSH is turned on and giving your Pi a steady address on your home network. These are foundational steps, and doing them right will save you a lot of headaches later on. So, it is worth taking your time here.

Setting Up SSH on Your Pi

SSH, or Secure Shell, is the tool that lets you control your Pi from a command line over a network. On newer Raspberry Pi OS versions, SSH might be turned off by default. You can turn it on using the Raspberry Pi Configuration tool, which you can find in the Preferences menu. Just go to "Interfaces" and make sure SSH is checked. You can also do this through the command line if you prefer, which some people find quicker. That, is usually the first thing to do.

Giving Your Pi a Static Local IP

When you set up port forwarding, you are telling your router to send traffic to a specific local IP address. If your Pi's local IP address changes (which it can do if it gets its address automatically), your port forward rule will stop working. Giving your Pi a "static" local IP address means it will always have the same address on your home network. This makes your port forwarding much more reliable, so it is a good idea to do this. You can usually set this up in your router's settings or directly on the Pi itself.

Opening Up Your Router: Port Forwarding Steps

This is where you tell your router to let outside connections reach your Raspberry Pi. The exact steps can look a little different depending on your router's brand and model, but the general idea is the same. It is a bit like setting up a special door for your Pi, you know, so it can get its mail directly. So, we will go through the general process.

Accessing Your Router's Settings

You usually get to your router's settings by typing its IP address into a web browser. This address is often something like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. You will need a username and password, which are often on a sticker on the router itself, or in its manual. If you have never changed them, they might be the default ones. Once you are in, look for sections like "Port Forwarding," "NAT," or "Virtual Servers." This is where the magic happens, so you might need to poke around a little.

Creating the Port Forward Rule

Inside the port forwarding section, you will typically create a new rule. You will need to tell it:

The "external" or "public" port (usually 22 for SSH, but you might want to change this for security reasons).
The "internal" or "local" port (also 22 for SSH on your Pi).
The "protocol" (TCP).
The "internal" or "destination" IP address (this is the static local IP address you gave your Raspberry Pi).

Once you save this rule, your router should start sending any incoming SSH requests directly to your Pi. It is a very specific instruction, so make sure all the numbers are right.

Finding Your Way Home: Dynamic DNS Solutions

Since your home internet IP address can change, you need a way for your remote connection to always find your Pi. This is where Dynamic DNS comes in. It is a clever system that keeps a domain name, like "my-pi-home.ddns.net," linked to your ever-changing public IP address. So, it is like having a constant street address for your Pi, even if the actual road changes. That, is pretty smart, actually.

Why You Need Dynamic DNS

Imagine trying to visit a friend whose house number keeps changing every few days. You would never know where to go! That is what happens if you rely on your dynamic public IP address. DDNS solves this by giving you a stable hostname. When your public IP changes, the DDNS service updates its records, so your hostname always points to your current home IP. This means you can always use the same easy-to-remember address to connect to your Pi, which is quite helpful. So, it makes things much simpler.

Choosing a Dynamic DNS Provider

There are many DDNS providers out there, some free and some paid. Popular free options include No-IP and DuckDNS. You will need to sign up for an account with one of these services and choose a hostname you like. Each service will have its own steps for getting started, but they generally involve creating a simple account. It is usually pretty straightforward to get one set up, so you should not have too much trouble.

Setting Up DDNS on Your Router or Pi

Many modern routers have a built-in DDNS client. You just go into your router's settings, find the DDNS section, choose your provider, and enter your account details and hostname. The router will then automatically update your IP address with the DDNS service whenever it changes. If your router does not have this feature, you can install a small program on your Raspberry Pi that does the same job. This program will periodically check your public IP and update the DDNS service if it has changed. So, either way, you can get it working.

Connecting from Windows 10: Your Remote Control Center

With your Pi ready and your network configured, you are all set to make the connection from your Windows 10 computer. This is the exciting part, where you finally get to see your efforts pay off. You will be able to send commands to your Pi just like you were sitting right in front of it. That, is a very cool feeling, actually.

Using PuTTY or Windows Terminal

For Windows 10, you have a couple of good options for making an SSH connection. PuTTY is a very popular, free SSH client that has been around for a long time. You just download it, open it up, and enter your connection details. Another option, and one that is built right into newer versions of Windows 10, is Windows Terminal. You can use its command prompt or PowerShell to run SSH commands directly. Both work very well, so it is just a matter of what you prefer. You can find PuTTY on its official website, for example, or simply open Windows Terminal from your Start menu.

The SSH Command Explained

If you are using Windows Terminal, the basic SSH command looks like this: `ssh username@your-ddns-hostname`. Replace "username" with your Raspberry Pi's username (often "pi" by default) and "your-ddns-hostname" with the hostname you set up with your DDNS provider. The first time you connect, you might get a warning about the host's authenticity; just type "yes" to continue. Then, you will be asked for your Pi's password. Once you enter it, you will see the command prompt for your Raspberry Pi, ready for your commands. So, it is a pretty simple command to remember.

Keeping Things Safe: Security Tips for Remote Access

Opening up your Raspberry Pi to the internet means you need to be careful about security. Just like you would not leave your front door wide open, you do not want to leave your Pi unprotected. Taking a few simple steps can make a big difference in keeping your Pi safe from unwanted visitors. This is a very important part of the process, so pay close attention.

Strong Passwords and Key-Based Authentication

First, always change the default password on your Raspberry Pi. The default "pi" user with password "raspberry" is widely known and a big security risk. Pick a password that is long and complex, using a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Even better, consider setting up SSH key-based authentication. This uses a pair of cryptographic keys instead of a password, which is much more secure. It is a bit more involved to set up, but it gives you a lot more peace of mind. So, it is really worth the extra effort.

Changing the Default SSH Port

SSH usually uses port 22. Many automated attacks scan for open port 22 looking for easy targets. By changing the SSH port on your Pi (and in your port forwarding rule) to something else, like 2222 or 54321, you make your Pi less obvious to these automated scans. It is not a perfect solution, but it helps reduce the noise and makes your Pi a smaller target. This is a pretty common recommendation, actually.

Staying Updated

Keep your Raspberry Pi's operating system and software updated regularly. Updates often include security fixes that patch vulnerabilities. You can do this by running `sudo apt update` and `sudo apt upgrade` on your Pi. This is a simple but very important step to keep your system secure. It is a bit like keeping your computer's antivirus up to date, you know, just good practice. So, make it a habit.

Common Hurdles and Quick Fixes

Sometimes, things do not work perfectly the first time. That is okay! Remote access can be a bit finicky with all the different parts involved. Here are some common problems people run into and some quick ways to try and fix them. It is pretty normal to hit a snag or two, so do not get discouraged.

Firewall Blocks

Your Windows 10 computer or your router might have a firewall blocking the outgoing or incoming SSH connection. Check your Windows Firewall settings to make sure SSH (port 22, or whatever you chose) is allowed. On your router, double-check that your port forwarding rule is active and correctly configured. Sometimes, a simple restart of your router can help clear up minor firewall glitches. So, it is worth checking these first.

Incorrect IP Addresses

Make sure you are using the correct IP addresses at each step. Your Pi's static local IP needs to be right in the port forwarding rule. When connecting from outside, you need to use your public IP address or your DDNS hostname. If your DDNS is not updating, try forcing an update with your DDNS provider or checking the DDNS client on your router or Pi. That, is a pretty common mistake, actually.

Router Issues

Some internet service providers (ISPs) use what is called "CGNAT" (Carrier-Grade Network Address Translation), which can prevent port forwarding from working. If you suspect this, you might need to contact your ISP to ask for a public IP address or a different solution. Also, sometimes simply restarting your router and your Raspberry Pi can fix strange network problems. It is a bit like turning something off and on again, you know, sometimes it just works. So, do not forget that simple trick.

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