03 Jan How to Fix GitHub Push Error RPC Failed HTTP 408 Curl 22

Working with GitHub can sometimes present unexpected roadblocks, especially when trying to push code to a remote repository. One common error developers encounter is the “RPC failed; HTTP 408 curl 22: The requested URL returned error: 408” message. This error typically occurs when Git is unable to maintain a stable network connection during a push, leading to a timeout. While discouraging to see, this issue is often easily resolvable with a few adjustments to Git configuration and some troubleshooting steps.

TLDR (Too long, didn’t read):

The GitHub “RPC Failed HTTP 408 Curl 22” error usually stems from problems with network stability, large repository sizes, or misconfigured Git settings. Fixes include increasing Git buffer size, switching to SSH, or breaking commits into smaller chunks. Configuring timeouts and pushing over more stable networks also helps. Read on for detailed, step-by-step solutions.

What Does Error 408 Mean in GitHub Push?

The number 408 is an HTTP status code that stands for “Request Timeout”. This means the client (in this case, Git) was unable to receive a timely response from the server (GitHub). Combined with the RPC (Remote Procedure Call) failed message and curl 22, it can usually be traced to either:

• A poor or unstable internet connection
• File size or repository size exceeding GitHub’s HTTP limits
• Data transfer buffer size being too small
• Credential or session timeouts in Git

Common Causes of the Error

Before jumping into solutions, it’s helpful to understand possible sources behind this error:

1. Large pushes: Massive files or folders being pushed all at once can strain the connection.
2. Firewall or proxy settings: Any restrictive network can block or delay Git’s communication with servers.
3. Short Git timeouts: Default Git settings are sometimes too conservative, especially for larger projects.
4. Authentication method: Using HTTPS instead of SSH might limit control and performance.

How to Fix the Error “RPC Failed HTTP 408 Curl 22”

1. Increase Git’s HTTP Post Buffer

This is one of the most frequently recommended solutions as it expands the volume of data Git can send at once.

git config --global http.postBuffer 524288000

This command sets the buffer size to 500MB. It solves the issue in many cases by preventing timeouts caused by small buffer sizes.

2. Use SSH Instead of HTTPS

SSH is generally more reliable for pushing to GitHub, especially on slower or restricted networks:

1. First, generate an SSH key (if not done yet):

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your_email@example.com"

2. Then, add your SSH key to your GitHub account under “Settings > SSH and GPG keys”.
3. Finally, change your repository’s remote URL:

git remote set-url origin git@github.com:yourusername/yourrepo.git

This setup sidesteps many of the issues tied to HTTP authentication and stability.

3. Push Smaller Commits

If you’re pushing a very large commit, split it up into smaller parts to reduce the data payload per push. You can do this by staging and committing files incrementally:

git add file1 file2
git commit -m "Partial commit"
git push

git add file3 file4
git commit -m "Another partial commit"
git push

This approach reduces server load and can help avoid timeouts during upload.

4. Check Internet Connection

A slow or unstable connection is a primary cause of 408 errors. Try switching to a more stable network or use a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi.

You can verify latency and ping to GitHub with this command:

ping github.com

Long ping times or packet loss may signal that network issues are contributing to your Git push problem.

5. Adjust Git Timeout Settings

To allow Git more time to complete the push action, you can increase the default timeout:

git config --global http.lowSpeedLimit 0
git config --global http.lowSpeedTime 999999

This change disables the low speed timeout mechanism that might be prematurely halting your push operation.

6. Clone Fresh and Retry

Sometimes, the local repository might be corrupted or out-of-sync with the remote. In such cases:

1. Rename your existing repo folder for backup:

mv myrepo myrepo_backup

2. Clone a fresh copy:

git clone git@github.com:yourusername/yourrepo.git

3. Copy necessary changes from the backup folder to the new one and try pushing again.

7. Check for GitHub Server Status

Occasionally, the issue might be with GitHub itself. Before digging too deep, check:

https://www.githubstatus.com

This page provides real-time updates and any known outages. If you see degraded performance or HTTP issues, it’s best to wait.

Optional: Enable Compression

Enabling compression may help speed up packaging of your data during push and reduce the chance of timeout:

git config --global core.compression 9

However, compression might increase CPU usage on very large repos, so use this wisely if your system is resource-constrained.

Summary of Commands and Settings

• http.postBuffer: Increases data buffer size
• core.compression: Compresses push data payload
• lowSpeedLimit and lowSpeedTime: Prevent premature timeouts
• Remote set-url: Switch to SSH protocol

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why do I get a 408 error only when pushing to GitHub, not fetching?

Fetching data involves downloading, which often completes faster than uploading, making it less susceptible to timeouts. Pushing typically sends more data, increasing chances of timeouts.

2. Is there a file size limit for GitHub?

Yes. GitHub has a per-file upload limit of 100MB and recommends repositories stay under 1GB for optimal performance. Large files should be managed using Git LFS (Large File Storage).

3. Is SSH always better than HTTPS?

Not always, but in environments with network restrictions, SSH often proves more stable and less likely to trigger timeout or authentication issues.

4. Could a VPN solve this issue?

Yes, if your current network is throttling certain connections. A VPN might help you bypass firewalls or blocked ports that interfere with Git operations.

5. How can I diagnose slow or failed Git connections?

Use the GIT_TRACE=1 and GIT_CURL_VERBOSE=1 environment variables when pushing:

GIT_TRACE=1 GIT_CURL_VERBOSE=1 git push

This will print detailed logs for your Git operation, allowing you to spot where exactly it fails.

Conclusion

Encountering an RPC Failed HTTP 408 Curl 22 error can be frustrating, but it’s often a temporary or fixable issue. Whether the cause lies in large file sizes or unstable connections, the solutions provided above offer multiple ways to resolve the problem depending on the root cause. Try each method one by one, and you’ll most likely get your code pushed without further issues.