Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-04

How to Fix: git commit stopped working - Error building trees

Invalid object error when committing changes in Git. Possible causes and solutions.

Quick Answer: The issue is likely caused by a corrupted or incomplete blob object. Try running `git fsck --no-reflogs` to identify the problematic object, then use `git filter-branch` to recreate the missing blob object.

The 'git commit' command has stopped working due to an error building trees, causing issues with committing changes. This problem affects users who are trying to push their changes to a remote repository or collaborate on a project.

This issue can be frustrating for developers as it prevents them from completing their work and may cause delays in the development process.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The primary reason for this error is that Git is unable to find a valid object reference for the specified file. This can occur due to various reasons such as corrupted repository data, missing files, or incorrect file permissions.
  • Another possible cause could be a misconfigured Git configuration or an issue with the local file system.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Resetting the Git Repository

  1. Step 1: Run `git fsck --full` to identify any corrupted objects in the repository. This command will list all invalid objects and their corresponding references.
  2. Step 2: Use `git fsck --delete` to remove any identified corrupted objects from the repository.
  3. Step 3: Then, run `git prune` to remove any dangling commits and branches that may be causing issues.
  4. Step 4: After these steps, try running `git commit` again to see if the issue is resolved.

Checking File Permissions

  1. Step 1: Check the file permissions of the affected file using `ls -l`. Ensure that the file has the correct read and write permissions for the Git user.
  2. Step 2: If necessary, adjust the file permissions to allow the Git user to access the file.
  3. Step 3: After changing the file permissions, try running `git commit` again to see if the issue is resolved.

💡 Conclusion

To resolve the 'Error building trees' issue when committing changes in Git, it's essential to identify and address the root cause of the problem. By following the steps outlined above, you should be able to reset your repository, check file permissions, or try alternative methods to resolve the issue and successfully commit your changes.

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