Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-03

How to Fix: How to fix git error: RPC failed; curl 56 GnuTLS

Git error RPC failed; curl 56 GnuTLS fix for Ubuntu 16.04.

Quick Answer: Try updating Git and its dependencies, or reinstalling them with apt-get install -y git libcurl4-openssl-dev libgnutls28-dev

📋 Table of Contents

  1. ⚠️ Common Causes
  2. 🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes
  3. 💡 Conclusion

The error 'RPC failed; curl 56 GnuTLS recv error (-12): A TLS fatal alert has been received.' occurs when Git attempts to push changes to a remote repository but fails due to an issue with the secure communication protocol. This error specifically affects users of Ubuntu 16.04 who are using Git version 2.11 or later.

This error can be frustrating because it prevents the user from successfully pushing their changes, resulting in lost work and disrupted workflow. However, by following these steps, you should be able to resolve this issue and continue working on your project.

⚠️ Common Causes

  • The primary cause of this error is a misconfigured GnuTLS library, which is used for secure communication between Git and the remote repository. This can occur due to outdated or corrupted system libraries, or incorrect configuration settings.
  • An alternative reason for this error could be an issue with the SSL/TLS certificates used by the remote repository, such as an expired or invalid certificate.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Updating Git and GnuTLS

  1. Step 1: Update your Git version to the latest stable release using the following command: `sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install git`.
  2. Step 2: Upgrade the GnuTLS library to the latest version using the following command: `sudo apt-get install libgnutls28-dev`.
  3. Step 3: Verify that both Git and GnuTLS are up-to-date by running `git --version` and `gnutls --version`, respectively.

Resolving SSL/TLS Certificate Issues

  1. Step 1: Check the remote repository's SSL/TLS certificate expiration date and update it if necessary. You can do this by contacting your repository administrator or using a tool like OpenSSL to verify and renew the certificate.
  2. Step 2: Verify that the remote repository's hostname matches its SSL/TLS certificate. If not, you may need to configure Git to use an alternative hostname or IP address.

💡 Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the 'RPC failed; curl 56 GnuTLS recv error (-12): A TLS fatal alert has been received.' error and successfully push your changes to the remote repository. Remember to regularly update your system libraries and verify the security of your repositories to prevent similar issues in the future.

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