ssh connection reset in LinuxLite 7.0

[PrivateTech]

when trying to connect to a fresh LinuxLite 7.0 installations on multiple computers, all of them had the same error:
"kex_exchange_identification: read: Connection reset"
"Connection reset by [IPADDR] port 22"
Same happens when trying to do "ssh localhost" in a terminal window on the local computer.
It says "kex_exchange_identification: read: Connection reset by peer"
also trying "ssh [USER]@[LOCAL_LAN_IP], which gives an error:
"ssh: connect to host [LOCAL_LAN_IP] port 22: Connection refused"

if it makes any difference:
- ping works fine
- the installation is fresh, drive reformatted
- install all updates first
- tried to install/reinstall openssh-server, still the same
- just tried the same on Lubuntu - works fine

Thank you.