Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-05-30

How to Fix: Why are connections to GitHub over SSH throwing an error "Warning: Remote Host Identification Has Changed"

Warning: Remote Host Identification Has Changed

Quick Answer: This warning is normal and indicates that the SSH host key has changed on GitHub's servers. To resolve, run "ssh-keygen -f ~/.ssh/known_hosts -R github.com" to update your known hosts file.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 💡 Why You Are Getting This Error
  2. 🚀 How to Resolve This Issue

When you encounter the 'Warning: Remote Host Identification Has Changed' error while connecting to GitHub over SSH, it's essential to understand what this warning signifies and how to resolve it.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The warning is triggered because the SSH host key of your GitHub server has changed.

🚀 How to Resolve This Issue

Method 1: Re-Verify Host Keys

  1. Step 1: Run the following command to verify the host keys:
ssh -T git@github.com

Method 2: Update Host Keys

  1. Step 1: Run the following command to update your host keys:
ssh-keygen -f ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub

Method 3: Add Host Key Manually

  1. Step 1: Run the following command to add the host key manually:
ssh-keyscan -t rsa github.com

Method 4: Use GitHub's SSH Host Key Verification Tool

  1. Step 1: Run the following command to verify the host key using GitHub's tool:
ssh -o UserKnownHostsFile=/dev/null git@github.com

🎯 Final Words

To avoid this warning in the future, ensure that your SSH host keys are up-to-date and verified regularly.

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