How To Windows

How to Fix GitHub Not Working on Windows 11

By Arpita 4 min read
How to Fix GitHub Not Working on Windows 11
Recommended: Download Windows Speedup Tool to quickly fix PC issues.

GitHub is an essential tool for developers — whether you’re using the GitHub website, GitHub Desktop, or the Git command line. But sometimes, it stops working properly on Windows 11. Users have reported issues like GitHub Desktop not opening, Git commands failing, or even the GitHub website not loading correctly.

If you’re facing any of these problems, don’t worry. In this guide, we’ll cover all possible reasons why GitHub may not be working on Windows 11 and walk you through proven methods to fix it.

Why GitHub May Not Work on Windows 11

Before we dive into the fixes, let’s look at the most common causes of GitHub-related issues:

  • Corrupted or outdated Git installation
  • GitHub Desktop app configuration issues
  • Network or proxy connection problems
  • Blocked authentication (2FA, SSH, or token issues)
  • Windows firewall or antivirus interference
  • Corrupted system dependencies (.NET, Visual C++ Redistributables)

Now that we know the possible culprits, let’s fix GitHub step by step.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

Since GitHub relies on an active network connection, a weak or unstable internet connection can prevent it from syncing or loading repositories.

  1. Try opening https://github.com in your web browser.
  2. If it doesn’t load, check your connection or switch to another network.
  3. Restart your router or run Windows Network Troubleshooter:
    • Open Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters → Internet Connections → Run.

Tip: If GitHub opens in your browser but the Desktop app or Git CLI fails, move to the next fixes.

2. Restart GitHub Desktop or Git CLI

Sometimes the simplest fix works best. If you’re using GitHub Desktop or Git Bash, restart them completely.

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. End all processes named GitHubDesktop.exe or git.exe.
  3. Relaunch GitHub Desktop or your Git Bash terminal.

Pro Tip: If GitHub Desktop was running during a Windows update or crash, restarting it often resolves the startup issue.

3. Run GitHub Desktop as Administrator

Permission issues can prevent GitHub Desktop from reading or writing repositories.

  1. Right-click the GitHub Desktop shortcut.
  2. Choose Run as administrator.
  3. If the issue is resolved, make it permanent:
    • Right-click → Properties → Compatibility → Run this program as an administrator → Apply.

4. Update Git to the Latest Version

If you use Git commands (like git push, git pull, or git clone) and they’re not working, you might be using an outdated Git version.

  1. Open Command Prompt and type: git --version
  2. If the version is older than 2.43, update Git: https://git-scm.com/downloads
  3. Download and run the installer.
  4. Restart your PC and verify again using: git --version

Note: Updating Git ensures compatibility with the latest GitHub authentication and SSH protocols.

5. Reconnect Your GitHub Account in GitHub Desktop

If GitHub Desktop shows authentication or sync errors, your GitHub token might have expired.

  1. Open GitHub Desktop.
  2. Click File → Options → Accounts.
  3. Sign out and then sign back in with your GitHub credentials.
  4. Reauthorize the app if prompted.

Pro Tip: If you’re using 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication), make sure your personal access token is updated in Git.

6. Check GitHub Status

Before making major changes, check if GitHub is actually down — sometimes the issue is on GitHub’s end.

Visit the official GitHub status page: https://www.githubstatus.com. If the site reports an ongoing outage or degraded performance, wait until GitHub restores full service.

7. Disable Proxy or VPN Connections

GitHub may fail to connect properly if you’re behind a VPN or proxy server.

  1. Press Windows + I → Network & Internet → Proxy.
  2. Turn off both Automatically detect settings and Use a proxy server.
  3. Disable any active VPN apps temporarily.
  4. Relaunch GitHub Desktop or Git.

Why it helps: VPNs can reroute traffic and block GitHub’s authentication servers.

8. Reinstall GitHub Desktop

If GitHub Desktop refuses to open or update properly, reinstalling it often solves the problem.

  1. Press Windows + I → Apps → Installed Apps.
  2. Search for GitHub Desktop → Uninstall.
  3. Restart your PC.
  4. Download the latest version from: https://desktop.github.com
  5. Install and sign in again.

Tip: Reinstalling does not delete your local repositories. They remain intact.

9. Update System Dependencies (.NET and Visual C++)

GitHub Desktop and Git require .NET Framework and Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables to function correctly.

  1. Download and install the latest .NET Framework Runtime: https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet-framework
  2. Install the latest Visual C++ Redistributables (2015–2022): https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist
  3. Restart your computer.

Pro Tip: Missing or corrupted runtime components can cause GitHub Desktop and Git commands to crash silently.

10. Check Your Firewall or Antivirus Settings

Some security software may block GitHub Desktop or Git connections.

  1. Open Windows Security → Firewall & Network Protection → Allow an app through firewall.
  2. Ensure both Git and GitHub Desktop are allowed through.
  3. If you use a third-party antivirus, temporarily disable it and check if GitHub starts working.

Tip: Add GitHub as an exception in your antivirus or firewall.

11. Repair System Files (SFC and DISM)

If GitHub fails to launch or shows missing DLL errors, Windows system corruption might be the cause.

  1. Open Command Prompt (Admin).
  2. Type: sfc /scannow
  3. Wait for the scan to complete.
  4. Then run: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  5. Restart your computer and check again.

12. Reset GitHub Desktop Settings

If everything else fails, resetting GitHub Desktop can fix configuration-related issues.

  1. Press Windows + R, type: %AppData%\GitHub Desktop
  2. Delete all files and folders.
  3. Relaunch GitHub Desktop — it will recreate them automatically.

Note: You’ll need to sign in again after resetting.

Wrapping Up

If GitHub isn’t working on Windows 11, it’s usually due to network, permission, or dependency issues. Start with simple fixes like checking your connection, running GitHub Desktop as admin, or reinstalling GitHub.

For more advanced users, updating Git, repairing .NET, and resetting app settings can restore full functionality.

Once fixed, you can seamlessly clone, commit, and push repositories again — and keep your development workflow running smoothly.

Arpita

With a background in Computer Science, she is passionate about sharing practical programming tips and tech know-how. From writing clean code to solving everyday tech problems, she breaks down complex topics into approachable guides that help others learn and grow.