src refspec main does not match any: failed to push some refs to git (for existing project)

Question

I need to upload an existing project to my own repository

Preconditions:

• I have downloaded a new project from a zip file
• I have created a new project on my own git repo

Steps:

I followed the given instruction from the git:

git init
git remote add origin https://...`  
git branch -M main
git push -uf origin main

Error:

error: src refspec main does not match any
error: failed to push some refs to 'https://gitlab.com/../...-main.git'

Additional info:

• I have established the ssh connection with my repository and successfully used git on the other projects.

• I also was trying the option with git remote add origin git@gitlab.com:..../...-main.git but received the same result

---

How to resolve this issue?

Answer 1

The error usually occurs when Git can’t find the master branch to push to, often caused by:

• No committed data in the repository.
• Mistyping the branch name.
• Mistyping the branch name.
• The branch has been renamed.
• Working with an empty repository.

Answer 2

double-check you have the remote added with

git remote -v 

you should see your remote repository url, then try

git fetch origin main

instead of pushing.

you can push once do the fetching.