Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-15

How to Fix: error: git-submodule died of signal 11

Git submodule error fixed by identifying and removing a function in the bashrc profile causing signal 11.

Quick Answer: Remove or comment out the problematic function from the bashrc profile to fix the issue.

The 'git-submodule died of signal 11' error occurs when a Git submodule fails to execute properly, often due to an issue with the bashrc profile.

This error can be frustrating for developers who rely on submodules in their projects, as it prevents them from accessing submodule files and committing changes.

⚠️ Common Causes

  • The primary cause of this error is a malicious function in the bashrc profile that executes an npm run command. This function can cause issues with the execution of Git commands.
  • Another possible cause could be a mismatch between the version of git and the submodule, which may lead to compatibility issues.

🚀 How to Resolve This Issue

Disable or remove the problematic bashrc profile

  1. Step 1: Open the .bashrc file in a text editor using a command like `nano ~/.bashrc`.
  2. Step 2: Locate and comment out or delete the line containing the test() function that executes the npm run command.
  3. Step 3: Restart the terminal or run `source ~/.bashrc` to apply the changes.

Update git and submodule versions

  1. Step 1: Run `git --version` and `git submodule --version` to check the current versions of Git and submodules.
  2. Step 2: Update both Git and submodules to their latest stable releases using a command like `git submodule update --init --recursive`.
  3. Step 3: Verify that the update was successful by running `git --version` and `git submodule --version` again.

💡 Conclusion

To resolve the 'git-submodule died of signal 11' error, it is recommended to disable or remove the problematic bashrc profile and update Git and submodule versions. This will prevent similar issues in the future and ensure smooth operation of submodules.

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