curl 6 could not resolve host raw githubusercontent com

Daniel Parker

3 min read

·

23-02-2025

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The error "curl: (6) Could not resolve host: raw.githubusercontent.com" indicates that your system cannot find the GitHub raw content server. This prevents you from accessing files directly from GitHub's raw content repository using the curl command. This is a common issue with various potential causes. Let's troubleshoot this problem effectively.

Understanding the Error

The error message itself is quite clear: curl—the command-line tool for transferring data with URLs—failed to resolve the hostname raw.githubusercontent.com. Resolution means your system couldn't translate that domain name into a numerical IP address it needs to establish a connection. This means something is blocking or preventing the DNS lookup.

Common Causes and Solutions

Let's explore the most frequent reasons behind this error and how to fix them.

1. Network Connectivity Issues

• Problem: The most basic reason is a lack of internet connectivity. Your system might be offline, or your network might be experiencing problems.
• Solution:
  • Check your internet connection. Try accessing other websites in your browser.
  • Restart your router and modem. Sometimes a simple reboot solves temporary network glitches.
  • Contact your internet service provider (ISP) if the problem persists.

2. DNS Server Problems

• Problem: Your system's DNS server (which translates domain names to IP addresses) might be malfunctioning or unreachable.
• Solution:
  • Try a different DNS server: Replace your current DNS server with a public DNS server like Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1). Instructions for changing your DNS settings vary depending on your operating system. Consult your OS documentation.
  • Flush your DNS cache: Your system might be holding onto outdated DNS information. Use the appropriate command for your operating system to clear the DNS cache. (e.g., ipconfig /flushdns on Windows, sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches on Linux).
  • Restart your computer: After changing DNS servers or flushing the cache, a restart often helps.

3. Firewall or Proxy Interference

• Problem: A firewall or proxy server might be blocking access to raw.githubusercontent.com.
• Solution:
  • Temporarily disable your firewall: See if the curl command works. If it does, configure your firewall to allow access to raw.githubusercontent.com.
  • Check your proxy settings: If you're using a proxy server, ensure it's properly configured and isn't blocking the connection. You might need to configure curl to use the proxy (e.g., curl --proxy http://yourproxy:port your_github_url).

4. Host File Issues (Less Common)

• Problem: Rarely, an entry in your system's /etc/hosts file (Linux/macOS) or C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts (Windows) might be interfering with DNS resolution. A wrongly configured entry could redirect raw.githubusercontent.com to an incorrect IP address or block it entirely.
• Solution: Open the hosts file in a text editor (as administrator on Windows), check for any entries related to raw.githubusercontent.com, and remove them if present. Ensure the file doesn't contain any incorrect or conflicting entries.

5. Corporate Network Restrictions

• Problem: If you're on a corporate network, your organization's IT policies might restrict access to certain websites, including raw.githubusercontent.com.
• Solution: Contact your IT department to request access or explore alternative ways to obtain the files you need.

Verifying the URL

Before concluding that the problem lies with your system's configuration, ensure you're using the correct URL. A typo in the URL will also lead to resolution failure. Double-check the URL for any mistakes.

Example curl Command

A typical curl command to fetch a file from GitHub's raw content might look like this:

curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/username/repository/main/file.txt

Replace username, repository, and file.txt with the actual values.

By systematically investigating these potential causes, you should be able to pinpoint the reason behind the "curl: (6) Could not resolve host: raw.githubusercontent.com" error and restore your ability to access GitHub's raw content using curl. Remember to restart your computer or services after making any significant configuration changes.