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Pop!_OS Can Access Google Services But Not GitHub? How to Fix

Jame Miller

Pop!_OS is a popular Linux distribution developed by System76, praised for its polished GNOME-based interface and out-of-the-box usability. However, users occasionally run into issues that challenge even the most seasoned Linux enthusiasts. One such quirk is the ability to connect to major services like Google while failing to access GitHub, a critical platform for developers and open-source enthusiasts.

TL;DR

If your Pop!_OS system can access Google services like Gmail or YouTube but fails to connect to GitHub, the issue may lie in your DNS settings, firewall rules, or even GitHub’s IP being blocked by a proxy or VPN. Start by checking your DNS configuration, inspect your firewall or networking tools like iptables or UFW, and test connectivity using the terminal. These fixes typically resolve most access issues and are relatively simple to implement.

Understanding the Problem: Google Works, GitHub Doesn’t?

It seems counterintuitive that a system would have flawless access to services like Google Search, YouTube, and Gmail, yet stumble when trying to reach GitHub. But this issue isn’t always about GitHub being down or something wrong on their end—often, it’s something local in your system’s configuration that is at fault.

To the frustration of many developers, GitHub access issues can disrupt workflow, especially when trying to clone repositories, push commits, or even fetch project data. The silver lining is that these problems are usually rooted in networking configurations that are within the user’s control.

Basic Tests to Diagnose the Issue

Before diving into deep configurations, it’s important to perform a few standard diagnostics to verify where the issue originates.

Common Causes and How to Fix Them

1. DNS Configuration Issues

Pop!_OS might be using a default DNS server provided by your ISP that is having trouble resolving GitHub’s domain. Switching to a public DNS service like Google’s or Cloudflare’s can resolve these issues.

How to Change DNS on Pop!_OS:

  1. Open “Settings” → “Network”.
  2. Select your current connection and click the gear icon.
  3. Go to the “IPv4” or “IPv6” tab and turn off “Automatic” under DNS.
  4. Enter one of the following public DNS:
    • Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
    • Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
  5. Save and reconnect.

This usually fixes the problem if it’s DNS-related.

2. Firewall or Network Security Settings

Some distributions or users have UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) enabled. It’s worth checking if there are any rules improperly blocking IP ranges related to GitHub.

Check UFW Rules:


sudo ufw status verbose

If you see any blocks on outbound traffic or specific ports GitHub operates on (e.g., ports 22 for SSH or 443 for HTTPS), you’ll need to allow them:


sudo ufw allow out 443
sudo ufw allow out 22

Then reload UFW:


sudo ufw reload

3. Proxy or VPN Interference

If you’re connecting through a proxy or VPN, this could interfere with how GitHub traffic is routed. Some VPNs may restrict or reroute traffic in a way that accidentally blocks access to GitHub servers.

Steps to Test:

4. GitHub IP Blocked Locally or via Hosts File

Check the /etc/hosts file to ensure that GitHub’s domains aren’t being redirected or blocked.


sudo nano /etc/hosts

Look for any lines with “github.com” in them. If they exist and point to addresses other than GitHub’s current IP (140.82.x.x as of this writing), remove or comment them out by prefixing the line with #.

5. System Updates and Certificates

Sometimes the inability to access GitHub is due to outdated SSL certificates, especially if it gives you errors related to TLS. Updating your system helps assure that your communication with GitHub remains secure and recognized.


sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

You can also reinstall certificates using:


sudo apt install --reinstall ca-certificates

Other Advanced Fixes

Configure Git to Use HTTPS Over SSH

If the issue is limited to Git commands and not browsing GitHub in a browser, you might be using the SSH mode. Try cloning using HTTPS instead:


git clone https://github.com/user/repo.git

If HTTPS works but SSH doesn’t, then your SSH keys or port 22 might be blocked.

Flush DNS Cache

After making DNS changes, it might help to flush your local cache:


sudo systemd-resolve --flush-caches

Conclusion

The issue of Pop!_OS being able to connect to Google services while failing to reach GitHub is often rooted in DNS misconfigurations, firewall rules, or network routing issues. By methodically checking each component—from DNS settings and firewall rules to VPN configurations and SSH versus HTTPS access—most users can pinpoint and solve the issue effectively.

Ultimately, the good news is that this problem, while frustrating, typically has a straightforward fix once diagnosed carefully.

FAQ

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