Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: gnutls.c: [0] (Emacs) fatal error: The TLS connection was non-properly terminated

Emacs gnutls error fix for el-get installation issue on Arch Linux.

Quick Answer: Try reinstalling el-get and its dependencies, or check the el-get documentation for any updates or fixes.

The error 'gnutls.c: [0] (Emacs) fatal error: The TLS connection was non-properly terminated' occurs when Emacs is unable to properly terminate a TLS connection, which can be frustrating for users who rely on this feature.

This issue affects users of Emacs 24.4-1 on up-to-date Arch Linux who have recently updated their dotfiles and installed el-get.

⚠️ Common Causes

  • The primary reason for this error is that the el-get installation process fails due to a corrupted or incomplete installation. This can occur when the installation script encounters issues during the download of the el-get package from GitHub.
  • Another possible cause is that the Emacs configuration file (.emacs.d/init.el) contains incorrect or missing dependencies, which prevent the el-get package from being loaded correctly.

🚀 How to Resolve This Issue

Fixing corrupted el-get installation

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Delete the el-get directory and its contents from ~/.emacs.d/el-get/. This will ensure a clean start for the installation process.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Run the command 'el-get-install' in Emacs to reinstall the el-get package. If this fails, try running it in the terminal using the command 'el-get-install' as a normal user.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: Verify that the el-get package has been installed correctly by checking for its presence in ~/.emacs.d/el-get/. If it is not present, try reinstalling it.

Fixing Emacs configuration file issues

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Review the contents of the .emacs.d/init.el file to ensure that all dependencies are correctly specified. Check for any missing or incorrect package names, and update the file accordingly.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Run the command 'M-x el-get-install' in Emacs to reinstall the el-get package. If this fails, try running it in the terminal using the command 'el-get-install' as a normal user.

🎯 Final Words

To resolve the 'gnutls.c: [0] (Emacs) fatal error: The TLS connection was non-properly terminated' issue, try fixing corrupted el-get installations by deleting the el-get directory and reinstalling it using 'el-get-install'. If this fails, check the Emacs configuration file for any dependencies issues and update it accordingly. With these steps, you should be able to resolve the error and enjoy a stable and secure Emacs experience.

Did this fix your problem?

If not, try searching for specific error codes.

🔍 Search Error Database

❓ Frequently Asked Questions