While working with Git, you may have encountered the “error: failed to push some refs to remote git.” This error mainly affects those working on the same codebase as other people. It occurs when changes made to the version control repository have not yet been pushed to the local repository.
This error could arise when working with a team on one project and simultaneously push to a branch. Most times, users get frustrated when they encounter this error. We have listed six ways you can fix this issue.
What Are Some Causes of This Error?
If you get this error message while using Gerrit, it could be due to any of these:
- Inappropriate change ID in the commit
- Not committing initial changes before pushing them into the repository.
- Lack of text files
- Failure to add files before trying to commit changes
- Issues with a Git pre-push hook
- Local repository not in sync with Git repository
- Incorrect branch name format
How Can I Fix The Error Message Error: Failed To Push Some Refs To Remote Git?
The “error: failed to push some refs into remote Git” can be resolved with some not so technical steps. Pay attention to the hints Git gives you many times; they provide a pointer as to what is wrong and how it could be fixed. You can try the solutions detailed if the hints do not work.
Before you try out the more extensive steps, try this. Run an initial commit and make sure you do not have any uncommitted changes responsible for this error. Once you are done with that, right-click on “remotes” on the side of the source tree and then select “push to origin.” Run the program and check if the error message still pops up.
Solution 1: Ensure You Are Working With The Correct Pair of Repository
This error may be caused by ill-matched repository pair. It means that the local repository name does not match that of the remote Git repository name. To checkmate this issue, always ensure you check and confirm that both repository names match before you pull changes to the remote repository.
If you discover that you spelled the repository name incorrectly, you can remove the local repository using the following steps.
- Step 1: Enter the command line del /F /S /Q /A .git hit enter, then input the rmdir .git command.
- Step 2: Correct the name of the local repository (XXXX02->XXXX20). If it is a newly created repository, you can delete it and then recreate the repository correctly. For example, you can change the repository name from the incorrect XXXX02 name to the correct repository name XXXX20.
- Step 3: Input the command line: Git init. Don’t forget to hit enter once you are done inputting it
- Step 4: Check if it is mapped. If not, remap with the remote repository. Next, Git remote add origin https://github.com/<username>/XXXX20.git
- Step 5: Enter Git push –u origin master
Solution 2: Git Pull
Before pushing new changes into the remote Git, we need pull. First, you must be able to distinguish between git push and git pull. Pushing carries the new commit history from the local repository to GitHub. Git pull, on the other hand, collects changes from your GitHub repository and adds them to your local repository.
It combines Git fetch and Git merges in one smooth command, effectively taking small changes from your remote repository and integrating them into your local branch.
The following steps will help you take care of the error using the Git Pull.
- Step 1: Git pull –rebase origin [master | main | other branch name]
- Step 2: Git push origin[master | main | other branch name] Career Karma
If doing this fails to fix the error, please try the next solution
Solution 3: Git Push
As stated earlier, push involves the transfer of recent changes from the local repository to GitHub. If you run push and get this output or one similar to the one below,
To [email protected]:shabbir-s-test.git
! [rejected] your-branch -> your-branch (non-fast-forward) Assembla Help Center
It means that someone else has pushed the commit to the same branch you are pushing yours to.
To fix this error, run:
- Step 1: Git pull origin <your-branch>
- Step 2: Git push origin <your-branch>
Alternatively, you can try this simple yet powerful solution.
- Step 1: Git pull –rebase origin master.
- Step 2: Git push origin master. Lucid Blog
Remember to make a commit first before starting these steps. After the commit, you can now push.
Solution 4: Try to Push
One common reason for the error: failed to push some refs into Git repository, is the failure to follow through with a push. If, for example, you commit but fail to push fast enough, someone else could beat you to it, effectively preventing you from pushing. You may have noticed that while you are still delaying to push, another collaborator commits and pushes.
The solution to this is to push your work first often and not go dark and work offline for long periods. It is better for the project when you commit, push, and integrate more often. This frequent push makes each integration smaller, less cumbersome, and less prone to error. However, to avoid Git merges, you must push only works that are ready to be shared.
Solution 5: Use Branches
Your early experiences working with yourself and others in master should provide you with an in-depth understanding of why many Git users eventually start to make use of branches. Branches generally provide explicit workflows that can be used to integrate different lines of work as you please. Moving to branches is nicer than trying to perform a tricky rebase or merge while panicked and frustrated. Happy Git
Solution 6: Check Your Working Directory
You may sometimes see the error: failed to push some refs into Git repository message because of some incompatibility between your Git history and GitHub. It means that your history on the local Git repository and the GitHub remote has diverged.
If this is the case, we advise that you get more information on the situation. You can find out more about the problem using your Git client, Git status, or visiting your GitHub remote history in the browser. These tools will help you identify the missing works responsible for the incompatibility. Try the solution below to fix this issue.
- Step 1: Input the command Git pull, then hit enter.
- Step 2: Next, input this command git push. Do not forget to press enter once the command has been inputted.
- Step 3: Do the force push directly to the remote server.
- Step 4: Input the following command git push –force
Alternatively, you can use this method. Just input the command below to get all the options related to push: git push –help.
A clear example of this discrepancy in histories has been given below.
If what you have on the GitHub history is A — B – C, and what you have on your local repository history is A — B – D, you may witness this error message. You will be unable to merge on your GitHub history when you push because of this discrepancy. Rather, you have to pull the commit C and integrate it into your D before you can push again.
Error: Failed To Push Some Refs To BitBucket
One reason you may be seeing this error is missing a local code. If the master branch possesses a code that is not included locally, it tries to prevent you from conflicts by preventing you from pushing further changes.
To solve this issue, we advise that you pull all the changes made to your local repository. Entering the command line: Git pull origin master –allow-unrelated-histories helps fix this issue. Once the code has been inputted, you will have all the code available on the master branch. Stackoverflow
Note: Exercise caution while pulling the codes from the remote branch. Any mistake may result in the compromise of all the changes made locally. Ensure you save all changes made or create a separate local branch to pull the original master branch. This way, you won’t mess up the changes you have made.
Conclusion
Encountering the “error: failed to push some refs to remote Git repository” message can be frustrating. This error can arise due to numerous reasons: a new commit is pushed into the repository while still working locally. We advise that you add files before trying to commit changes and check that the repository names match. You can fix this error with the solutions provided in this article.
