Software⏱️ 2 min read📅 2026-05-31

How to Fix code 12 Error – rsync over ssh "error in rsync protocol data stream" (code 12). ssh works

Error in rsync protocol data stream (code 12) when using SSH with a large port number

Quick Answer: The issue is likely due to the SSH port number being too large. Try using a smaller port number, such as 22, and see if that resolves the issue.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. ✅ Best Solutions to Fix It
  2. 🎯 Final Words

The error message 'error in rsync protocol data stream' (code 12) indicates that the SSH connection is not being established correctly, despite the SSH command working individually. This issue can occur due to various reasons such as incorrect port numbers, firewall blocking, or issues with the SSH server.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

Method 1: Verify SSH Port Number

  1. Step 1: Check the SSH port number being used. Ensure it matches the one specified in the rsync command.
  2. Step 2: Try using a default SSH port (22) instead of specifying a custom port.

Method 2: Disable Firewall and SSH Port Forwarding

  1. Step 1: Disable the firewall on both the local machine and the remote server.
  2. Step 2: Ensure SSH port forwarding is disabled. You can do this by adding the following command to your ssh connection: `-L` followed by the default SSH port number (22).

🎯 Final Words

To resolve this issue, try one of the above methods. If none of them work, it may be necessary to investigate further and identify the root cause of the problem.

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