How To Fix "Git Is Not Recognized As An Internal Or External Command"?

The error message "Git is not recognized as an internal or external command" is a common issue encountered by developers, especially when they are setting up Git for the first time. This error typically occurs when the Git executable is not correctly added to the system’s PATH environment variable, preventing the command prompt or terminal from recognizing Git commands.

In this article, we will explore the causes of this error and provide step-by-step solutions to fix it on Windows, macOS, and Linux systems.

Understanding the Error

The error "Git is not recognized as an internal or external command" appears when the command prompt or terminal cannot locate the Git executable. This usually happens because the Git installation directory is not included in the system’s PATH environment variable.

The PATH variable tells the operating system where to look for executables when a command is entered in the terminal or command prompt. If Git’s path is not included, the system won’t know where to find the git command, leading to this error.

Common Causes

Here are the most common reasons for encountering this error:

• Git is not installed: If Git isn’t installed on your system, the command prompt won’t recognize the git command.
• Git is installed but not added to the PATH variable: During installation, if the option to add Git to the PATH is not selected, the system won’t recognize Git commands.
• Incorrect PATH configuration: If the PATH variable is not set correctly, the command prompt won’t be able to find the Git executable.

Solution 1: Installing Git Properly

If you haven’t installed Git yet, follow these steps to ensure it’s installed correctly:

Step 1: Download Git

Download and Install Git by following the article.

Step 2: Install Git

During the installation process, you’ll be prompted to select components and options. Make sure to select the option that adds Git to your PATH.

Step 3: Complete the Installation

Finish the installation process and open your command prompt or terminal to verify that Git is installed.

Solution 2: Adding Git to the System PATH Manually

If Git is already installed but you’re still getting the error, you may need to manually add Git to your system’s PATH.

For Windows:

• Open System Properties: Press Win + X and select System. Alternatively, right-click on This PC and choose Properties.
• Access Environment Variables: Click on Advanced system settings on the left, then click Environment Variables.
• Edit the PATH Variable: In the System variables section, find the Path variable and click Edit.
• Add Git to the PATH: Click New and enter the path to your Git installation. This is usually:

C:\Program Files\Git\bin

and

C:\Program Files\Git\cmd

• Save and Close: Click OK to save your changes and close all dialog boxes.
• Restart the Command Prompt: Close and reopen your command prompt or terminal and type git --version to check if the issue is resolved.

For macOS and Linux:

• Open Terminal: Open your terminal and type the following command to check if Git is already installed:

git --version

• Add Git to the PATH: If Git is not recognized, you may need to add it to the PATH in your .bash_profile, .bashrc, or .zshrc file, depending on your shell:

export PATH="/usr/local/bin/git:$PATH"

• Save and Reload: Save the file and run the following command to apply the changes:

source ~/.bash_profile  # or ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc

• Verify the Installation: Type git --version to verify that Git is recognized.

Solution 3: Verifying Git Installation

After making changes, it’s important to verify that Git is correctly installed and recognized:

git --version

If the command returns the installed Git version, then the issue is resolved.

Solution 4: Restarting Your Command Prompt or Terminal

After updating the PATH variable or installing Git, always restart your terminal or command prompt. Some changes take effect only after a restart.

Fixing the Error on Different Operating Systems

Windows

• Follow the steps outlined in Solution 2 to add Git to the PATH.
• Ensure that the correct directories (like C:\Program Files\Git\bin) are included in the PATH variable.
• Restart the command prompt and check the Git version.

macOS

1. Use Homebrew to install Git if it’s not already installed:

brew install git

2. Add Git to the PATH by editing the .bash_profile, .bashrc, or .zshrc file.

3. Restart the terminal and verify the installation.

Linux

Install Git using the package manager for your distribution (e.g., apt, yum, dnf):

sudo apt-get install git

2. Add Git to the PATH if needed, and ensure that your shell configuration file is correctly set up.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

• Incorrect PATH Configuration: Double-check the paths you added to ensure there are no typos or incorrect directories.
• Git Installation Location: Ensure that the path you added points to the correct installation directory.
• Multiple Git Installations: If you have multiple Git installations, ensure that the PATH points to the correct one.

Best Practices

• Select the Option to Add Git to PATH During Installation: This avoids the hassle of manually configuring the PATH variable later.
• Use Package Managers: On macOS and Linux, use Homebrew or your package manager to install Git, as it usually handles PATH configuration automatically.
• Regularly Update Git: Keep Git updated to the latest version to ensure compatibility and access to new features.