Learn how to fix the GitHub 500 error on pull requests with our step-by-step troubleshooting guide. Resolve GitHub pull request issues quickly in 2025.
If you’ve ever run into the GitHub 500 error when submitting a pull request, you know it can be a frustrating and disruptive experience. This error often occurs without warning and can prevent you from completing even the most basic tasks—like merging a pull request or creating a new one. So, what’s going on when you see this message, and how can you fix it?
A 500 Internal Server Error is a generic response from the server, indicating that something went wrong but not giving much detail about what the specific issue is. This error typically surfaces when GitHub’s backend is temporarily unavailable, affecting a large number of users. Understanding the root cause of this error and knowing what steps to take is crucial to minimizing downtime.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the GitHub 500 error on pull requests, its causes, and the best ways to fix it. We’ll cover everything from troubleshooting locally to what to do when it’s clear that the problem is server-side. Let’s dive in and get you back on track.
What is a GitHub 500 Error?
A GitHub 500 error is an Internal Server Error that happens when there’s an issue on GitHub’s servers. If you’re seeing this message, it usually means that the GitHub platform is temporarily down or facing an issue that prevents you from creating or merging pull requests.
This error often appears during moments of high server load, during maintenance, or due to bugs in GitHub’s backend systems. It’s important to understand that this error is not on your end. There’s nothing wrong with your computer, browser, or connection (at least, not most of the time). Instead, the problem lies with GitHub’s servers.
In simple terms, GitHub’s backend is temporarily unavailable, and you cannot interact with repositories as usual until the issue is resolved.
The 500 error message is often paired with other specific details such as “Service Unavailable” or “Internal Server Error”, which are both indicators that something went wrong on GitHub’s end, typically due to server maintenance or issues in the code running on the platform.
Common Scenarios for GitHub 500 Error on Pull Requests
A GitHub 500 error can be particularly frustrating during the pull request process, especially when you’re trying to merge changes into a repository or initiate a new pull request. There’s no warning, just a server-side issue that prevents you from completing your task.
Here are the most common scenarios where this error arises:
GitHub PR not merging: When you’re trying to merge a pull request and it fails, this can often result in a 500 error message, especially if the error occurs during server communication. Sometimes, you’ll also encounter merge conflicts that GitHub can’t resolve due to server-side limitations.
GitHub merge error: This can also show up when you’re attempting to resolve merge conflicts but get hit with a server-side error, preventing the merge process from completing.
Impact on Workflow:
- If you’re working in a collaborative environment and multiple people are submitting pull requests, this error can disrupt the team’s workflow significantly. Without the ability to merge or submit pull requests, essential updates and features can be delayed.
While this can be disruptive, the good news is that these errors tend to be temporary and resolve quickly once GitHub fixes the backend issues. In many cases, the 500 error will clear up in under an hour, allowing you to resume your work.
How to Fix GitHub 500 Error on Pull Requests
When you encounter a GitHub 500 error, the first thing to do is stay calm. This issue is typically server-side, meaning it’s not something you can fix by troubleshooting your local machine or network. However, here are some actionable steps to take:
Check GitHub’s Status Page
Before you panic and start troubleshooting your local setup, visit GitHub’s status page. This is your first clue. If there’s an outage, you’ll see a notice there. Many users have experienced outages that lasted for about 30 minutes (like the one on December 3, 2024). GitHub usually resolves these issues quickly. Checking the status page is your best first step because GitHub will provide information about the outage’s duration and scope, so you’ll know whether you need to do anything at all.
Check Status from official GitHub Status Page
Additional Tip: GitHub’s status page might sometimes lag behind, but it’s the most reliable source of information about ongoing server problems.
Takeaway: If GitHub confirms an outage, the best thing you can do is wait. The error will resolve itself once their engineers fix the issue.
Wait for the Server-Side Issue to Resolve
The most common fix for the GitHub 500 error is to simply wait. In most cases, these errors clear up within an hour as GitHub’s engineers address whatever backend issue is causing the problem. For many users, refreshing the page after some time will allow them to proceed without further issues. It’s important to note that waiting is often the best solution when the issue is server-side. Pro Tip: Stay patient! It’s a server-side issue, and once it’s resolved, your pull request will go through smoothly.
Troubleshoot Local Connection Problems (If Necessary)
If the GitHub status page shows no issues, the next step is to rule out local connection problems. While it’s rare for the error to be on your end, it’s worth checking:
- Restart your router: Sometimes, network instability can cause intermittent issues, though these are typically unrelated to the 500 error.
- Test internet speed: Check your connection via a speed test website to ensure everything is stable. A low-speed connection could make it seem like GitHub’s servers are down when, in fact, the issue is your internet.
- Switch browsers or devices: The problem may lie with your current browser. Try using incognito/private mode or switch to a different browser or device to see if that resolves the issue.
Note: If you’re using the GitHub desktop app, follow any troubleshooting steps provided by GitHub for app-related issues.
Additional Local Fix: If using Git LFS (Large File Storage), sometimes large file uploads or pulls can hit the 500 error, so checking LFS settings and usage may help.
Check for GitHub-Specific Issues (Webhooks, Actions, etc.)
Occasionally, GitHub webhooks or GitHub Actions might be misconfigured, which can contribute to errors during pull request creation. If you’re dealing with a specific tool or integration, check the logs to make sure everything is configured properly. These types of tools can sometimes interact in ways that cause conflicts with pull requests, triggering the error message.
Contact GitHub Support
If none of the above steps work and the 500 error persists even after GitHub has resolved the issue, it’s time to contact GitHub support. Provide them with the error message, any relevant logs, and the pull request links, and they should be able to help you troubleshoot further. They may also provide insight into specific server issues or maintenance that could be causing the error.
Go to: GitHub Support
GitHub 500 Error in Specific Contexts
While the GitHub 500 error is most often encountered during the pull request process, it can also affect other parts of GitHub’s ecosystem. Here are a few scenarios where this error might crop up:
- GitHub Actions 500 Error: If you’re using GitHub Actions for CI/CD pipelines, you might encounter a 500 error due to an issue in the action itself. GitHub Actions can sometimes break if an action fails or if the runner is having trouble with GitHub’s servers.
- GitHub Classroom 500 Error: In educational environments using GitHub Classroom, this error can also affect assignments, pull requests, and repositories, causing delays in coursework and grading.
- GitHub LFS (Large File Storage) Issues: If you’re working with large files and using Git LFS, server-side issues can prevent large files from being pushed or pulled correctly.
If you’re encountering the error in these specific contexts, the solution is the same: Check the status page, wait for the issue to resolve, and then troubleshoot locally if needed.
Best Practices to Avoid GitHub 500 Error in the Future
While GitHub’s 500 errors are often temporary, here are some best practices to help minimize the chances of encountering them:
- Optimize GitHub’s API Calls: If you’re integrating GitHub with external applications or tools via the GitHub API, make sure you’re not overloading the system with too many requests. Sometimes rate limiting can contribute to these errors, especially if your app or workflow is interacting with GitHub too frequently.
- Check Your Repository Settings: Regularly review your repository settings, especially branch protection rules that may cause conflicts when merging pull requests. Ensure that protection rules are set up in a way that doesn’t lead to errors in the merging process.
- Subscribe to GitHub Status Updates: Stay in the loop by subscribing to GitHub’s status page. This way, you’ll be notified immediately when an outage is detected and can plan accordingly. GitHub typically provides timely updates on when the issue will be fixed.
Read More: GitHub Help Docs
Conclusion
The GitHub 500 error on pull requests is almost always a server-side issue, and in most cases, there’s little you can do but wait. Check the GitHub status page, monitor the situation, and give it some time. Local troubleshooting rarely fixes the problem, so focus on waiting for GitHub’s engineers to handle the issue. If the problem persists after the outage is marked resolved, contact GitHub support.
By following these steps and being patient, you’ll be able to navigate GitHub 500 errors with confidence, ensuring that your pull requests are merged smoothly and quickly once the backend issues are resolved.
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