Software⏱️ 4 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: dyld: Library not loaded: /usr/lib/libcurl.4.dylib curl SSL error

dyld: Library not loaded: /usr/lib/libcurl.4.dylib curl SSL error on Yosemite

Quick Answer: Try linking to the normal OS X openssl by running "sudo ln -s /System/Library/Frameworks/Security.framework/Libraries/libssl.dylib /usr/local/lib/libssl.dylib" and then try installing rvm again.

The dyld: Library not loaded error, specifically 'dyld: Library not loaded: /usr/lib/libcurl.4.dylib curl SSL error', is an issue that affects macOS users, particularly those using Yosemite. This error occurs when the system fails to load the libcurl library, which is required for secure connections (SSL). The frustration comes from trying to install software that relies on this library, such as RVM, but encountering an error message that makes it difficult to diagnose and fix.

Resolving this issue requires a combination of troubleshooting steps and understanding the underlying causes. In this guide, we will walk through two primary methods for resolving the dyld: Library not loaded error, focusing on linking to the normal OS X OpenSSL and using alternative installation methods.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The first main reason why this error happens is due to a mismatch between the system architecture and the library architecture. The libcurl library is designed for specific architectures, but the system may be running on a different architecture. This discrepancy prevents the system from loading the library correctly.
  • An alternative reason for this error could be related to the presence of multiple versions of OpenSSL installed on the system. When using Conda openssl, it's possible that the system is trying to use an older version of OpenSSL that is not compatible with libcurl.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Linking to Normal OS X OpenSSL

  1. Step 1: To link to the normal OS X OpenSSL library instead of Conda openssl, you can remove any existing Conda installations and reinstall the OpenSSL library using Homebrew. Open a terminal and run `brew uninstall openssl` followed by `brew install openssl`. This will ensure that you have the latest version of OpenSSL installed on your system.
  2. Step 2: After installing the new OpenSSL library, you need to update the DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable to point to the new location of the libcurl library. Run the command `export DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH=/usr/local/opt/openssl/lib:$DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH` and then restart any applications that may be using curl.
  3. Step 3: Once the environment variable is updated, you should be able to use curl without encountering the dyld: Library not loaded error.

Using Alternative Installation Methods

  1. Step 1: As an alternative method, you can try installing RVM using a different installation method that does not rely on libcurl. You can download the RVM installer from the official website and follow the instructions to install it manually.
  2. Step 2: To avoid any issues with libcurl, you may need to modify the RVM installation script to use an alternative library. This may involve editing the `rvm-install.sh` file or using a different installation method altogether.

✨ Wrapping Up

In conclusion, resolving the dyld: Library not loaded error requires a combination of troubleshooting steps and understanding the underlying causes. By linking to the normal OS X OpenSSL library or using alternative installation methods, you should be able to resolve this issue and continue using your system without any issues.

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