Git push results in "Authentication Failed"

 

If you're encountering an "Authentication Failed" error while trying to push to a Git remote repository, it usually indicates a problem with your authentication credentials. Here's a general example of how you might encounter this error and how to troubleshoot it:

Let's say you're using Git to push changes to a remote repository hosted on GitHub.

1. Attempt to Push: You try to push your changes to the remote repository:

   sh

git push origin master

Error Message: You receive an error message similar to this:

vbnet

remote: Invalid username or password.
fatal: Authentication failed for 'https://github.com/username/repo.git/'

Troubleshooting Steps:

• Check Username and Password: Make sure you're using the correct username and password (or personal access token) associated with your Git repository hosting service (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, etc.). Double-check for typos or mistakes.

• Use Personal Access Token (PAT): Instead of using your actual password, consider using a personal access token (PAT) if the repository hosting service supports it. This is more secure and allows fine-grained control over permissions.

• SSH Key Authentication: If you're using SSH to interact with the remote repository, ensure that your SSH key is correctly set up and associated with your account on the hosting service. This eliminates the need for username/password authentication.

• Cache Credentials: If you're using HTTPS to access the repository, Git may have cached your old credentials. You can clear the cached credentials using:

  sh

git credential-cache exit

After that, when you push again, Git will prompt you for the new credentials.

Update Credentials in Git Config: Check your Git configuration to ensure your credentials are correctly stored. You can use the following commands to update your credentials:

sh

3. • git config --global user.name "YourUsername"
     git config --global user.email "youremail@example.com"
     

   • Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): If you have 2FA enabled on your account, you'll need to use a personal access token instead of your password for authentication. Generate a token from your account settings and use that for authentication.

   • Check for Blocked Accounts: Sometimes, repeated authentication failures can lead to accounts being temporarily blocked. Check your repository hosting service's account settings or contact their support if needed.

   If none of these solutions work, refer to the documentation of your specific Git repository hosting service for more troubleshooting steps and information.

Remember to never share your actual credentials or tokens publicly.