Sometimes when we use a new VPS the server has both IPv4 and IPv6. So because many times an extra IP is a problem and more work, I disable IPv6. Below we will see how it is done…
To disable IPv6 on a VPS, you can use the sysctl command. The best reliable, permanent method depends on your operating system.
On Linux VPS (Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, AlmaLinux)
For a permanent change that is not affected by reboots, add the shutdown parameters to your system configuration.
Connect to your VPS via SSH as root or as a user with sudo privileges.
Open or create a custom sysctl configuration file using a text editor like nano:
sudo nano /etc/sysctl.d/99-disable-ipv6.conf
Add the following lines to completely disable IPv6 on all current and loopback interfaces:
net.ipv6.conf.all.disable_ipv6 = 1
net.ipv6.conf.default.disable_ipv6 = 1
net.ipv6.conf.lo.disable_ipv6 = 1
Save and close the file (in nano, press Ctrl+x, then y, then Enter).
Apply changes immediately without rebooting:
sudo sysctl --system
Note: If you are using a cloud provider, remember to check your provider's control panel, as some hypervisors (like OVH) may automatically re-enable IPv6 via cloud-init scripts.
For Windows VPS
To completely disable IPv6 in Windows Server, you need to modify the registry.
Connect to your Windows VPS using Remote Desktop.
Open the Start menu, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
Run the command below to add the registry value that completely disables IPv6:
reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip6\Parameters /v DisabledComponents /t REG_DWORD /d 0xff /f
Restart your VPS to read the changes.
Although the press releases will range from very select to rare, I said I'd pass...because sometimes the editors hide.
