Software⏱️ 2 min read📅 2026-06-03

How to Fix: Getting permission denied (public key) on gitlab

GitLab permission denied public key error resolved by verifying SSH keys and configuration.

Quick Answer: Verify that the SSH private key is in the correct format and that the GitLab public key is correctly set up. Check the SSH connection using ssh -T git@gitlab.com to ensure it's working.

The 'Permission denied (publickey)' error occurs when GitLab is unable to verify your SSH public key, preventing you from pushing or fetching code.

This issue can be frustrating for developers who rely on GitLab for their projects. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to resolve the permission denied error and get back to working with your GitLab repository.

🛑 Root Causes of the Error

  • The primary reason for the 'Permission denied (publickey)' error is that GitLab is unable to verify your SSH public key. This can happen if the public key is not correctly added to your GitLab account or if there are issues with your SSH configuration.
  • Alternative cause: If you have recently changed your username or email address, it may take some time for GitLab to update its internal records and recognize your new credentials.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Verify and Update Your SSH Public Key

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Check the public key that you added to your GitLab account. Ensure that it matches the one stored in your computer's SSH settings.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: If the keys do not match, regenerate your SSH private key and update the public key on your GitLab account.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: Run `git config --global user.remote 'gitlab@your-github-username.gitlab.com'

Alternative Advanced Fix

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