How to fix permission denied git

GitDebug / FixBeginner · 4 min read

How to Fix Permission Denied Error in Git Quickly

The permission denied error in Git usually happens because your SSH key is missing or not added to your Git server, or your HTTPS credentials are incorrect. Fix it by adding the correct SSH key to your Git account or updating your HTTPS credentials with git config or credential helpers.

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Why This Happens

This error occurs when Git cannot verify your identity to access the remote repository. It often happens if your SSH key is not set up or your HTTPS username/password is wrong. Without proper permission, Git blocks your access.

bash

git clone git@github.com:user/repo.git

Output

Permission denied (publickey). fatal: Could not read from remote repository. Please make sure you have the correct access rights and the repository exists.

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The Fix

To fix this, first check if your SSH key exists and is added to your Git server account (like GitHub). If not, generate one and add it. For HTTPS, update your saved credentials or use a credential helper.

bash

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your_email@example.com"
eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"
ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_ed25519
# Then add the public key (~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub) to your Git server account

git clone git@github.com:user/repo.git

Output

Cloning into 'repo'... remote: Enumerating objects: 10, done. remote: Counting objects: 100% (10/10), done. remote: Compressing objects: 100% (8/8), done. Receiving objects: 100% (10/10), done.

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Prevention

Always set up your SSH keys when starting with Git and add them to your Git server account. Use SSH URLs instead of HTTPS for easier authentication. Keep your credentials updated and use Git credential helpers to store them securely.

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Related Errors

Other common errors include fatal: Authentication failed for HTTPS, which means your username or password is wrong, and Could not resolve hostname which means your Git remote URL is incorrect. Fix these by checking credentials and remote URLs.

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Key Takeaways

Permission denied errors happen when Git can't verify your identity.

Add your SSH key to your Git server account to fix SSH permission issues.

Use SSH URLs instead of HTTPS for simpler authentication.

Keep your credentials updated and use Git credential helpers.

Check your remote URL and credentials if errors persist.