How I Fixed GitHub Error: failed to push some refs to github.com in 2026

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Today I was deploying my Netflix clone project (NGold) to GitHub when I got this frustrating error: ! [rejected] main -> main (fetch first)

error: failed to push some refs to 'https://github.com/Sirvickcloud91/netflix-frontend-1.git'

If you are seeing this error, don't panic. I fixed it in 2 minutes. Here is how.

Why this Error happens. This error means your GitHub repository has files that your local computer does not have. In my case, I added screenshots on GitHub website, but my laptop didn't have those screenshots. GitHub is telling you: "Hey, fetch first before you push!" 

My Situation, I was working on:

  • Project: Netflix Clone - NGold
  • Live: 32.196.145.76:3000
  • Repo: Sirvickcloud91/netflix-frontend-1
  • Error happened after adding 6 screenshots to GitHub.

SOLUTION - 2 Commands Only

Open your terminal in VS Code and run:

Step 1: Pull with rebase: (git pull origin main --rebase). This will download the missing files from GitHub to your laptop without creating merge conflict.

Step 2: Push again: "git push origin main" 

 My result👉 "Enumerating objects: 13, done.

Counting objects: 100% (13/13), done.

Delta compression using up to 16 threads

Compressing objects: 100% (9/9), done.

Writing objects: 100% (11/11), 1.68 MiB | 2.20 MiB/s, done.

Total 11 (delta 1), reused 0 (delta 0)

To https://github.com/Sirvickcloud91/netflix-frontend-1.git

   5a0b936..c45f8a1 main -> main"   success! 1.68 MiB uploaded!

Note: If you see token in your git remote, remove it for security:

git remote remove origin

git remote add origin https://github.com/YOUR_USERNAME/REPO_NAME.git


Conclusion:

Never use git push --force unless you want to delete files! Always use git pull --rebase first.

I am Uko J. (Sirvick), a DevOps Engineer from Port Harcourt, Nigeria. I document my real deployment errors so you don't waste data and time.Follow my blog for more AWS EC2 deployment fixes!

Comments

  1. Otinomo (Otis)September 23, 2026 at 1:28 PM

    Well done Engr Sirvick. I have learnt something new

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SirvickSeptember 24, 2026 at 1:58 AM

      Thank you Engr Otis! Glad you learnt something new. That error stressed me too during my NGold project deployment to 32.196.145.76. More guides coming!

      Delete
  2. Anyiego001September 23, 2026 at 11:34 PM

    Strong first step, legend. Keep building, the journey is just beginning. 🔥🫡

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SirvickSeptember 24, 2026 at 1:57 AM

      Thank you Anyiego001! 🙏 Appreciate the energy! More DevOps fixes coming - EC2 deployment guide drops today!

      Delete
  3. Oscar EzenaguSeptember 24, 2026 at 3:14 AM

    Well done

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SirvickSeptember 24, 2026 at 5:49 AM

      Thank you Engr. Oscar
      Your feedback is really encouraging.

      Delete
  4. SirvickSeptember 24, 2026 at 5:47 AM

    Thank you Engr Oscar.
    Your feedback is encouraging.

    ReplyDelete

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