Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: "Could not resolve host: github.com" error while updating Homebrew after installing git

Homebrew installation error on OS X Lion.

Quick Answer: Try updating DNS cache or reinstalling Homebrew.

The 'Could not resolve host: github.com' error occurs when Homebrew is unable to connect to GitHub's servers, preventing the installation and update of git. This issue affects users who have installed Homebrew on their OS X Lion (10.7.2) system and are attempting to install or update Git.

This error can be frustrating as it prevents users from accessing important features like version control in Git. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to resolve this issue and get your Homebrew installation working again.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The primary cause of this error is a DNS (Domain Name System) resolution issue, which occurs when the system is unable to translate the hostname 'github.com' into an IP address. This can happen due to various reasons such as network configuration issues or outdated DNS cache.
  • Another possible cause is a problem with the system's DNS resolver, which could be caused by a misconfigured network settings or a corrupted DNS cache.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Resolving DNS resolution issue using `dnsclnt` command

  1. Step 1: Open Terminal and run the following command to update the DNS cache: `sudo /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/AppleDNS.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/dnsclnt -X reset`. This will clear out any stale DNS entries and refresh the resolver.
  2. Step 2: Next, try running `brew install git` again. If the issue persists, proceed to the next step.
  3. Step 3: If you're still experiencing issues, run `brew update` with the `--verbose` flag to get more detailed output: `brew update --verbose`. This will help identify if there are any other DNS-related errors.

Resolving DNS resolution issue using `resolvconf` command

  1. Step 1: Open Terminal and run the following command to reset the resolvconf resolver: `sudo /etc/resolv.conf`. This will clear out any stale DNS entries and refresh the resolver.
  2. Step 2: Next, try running `brew install git` again. If the issue persists, proceed to the next step.

🎯 Final Words

To resolve the 'Could not resolve host: github.com' error while updating Homebrew after installing Git on OS X Lion (10.7.2), you can try resolving DNS resolution issues using either the `dnsclnt` or `resolvconf` command. If these methods don't work, you may need to investigate further with your system administrator or seek additional assistance.

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