How to fix fatal: credential-manager-core was not found in Git

GitBEGINNERMEDIUMUpdated Dec 6, 2025· 307 views

The 'credential-manager-core was not found' error occurs when Git's configuration references the deprecated credential helper name. Git Credential Manager was renamed from 'manager-core' to 'manager' in late 2022, and older configurations need to be updated.

Quick fix

Fixes fatal: credential-manager-core was not found

# Update global configuration to use 'manager' instead of 'manager-core'
git config --global credential.helper manager
  1. Update credential helper to use the new name
  2. Check all credential helper configurations
  3. Update system-level configuration (if present)
  4. Remove all old credential helper settings and reconfigure
git — error
# Update global configuration to use 'manager' instead of 'manager-core'
git config --global credential.helper manager
fatal: credential-manager-core was not found

What this error means

This error indicates that Git is trying to use a credential helper called "credential-manager-core" but cannot find it because the helper has been renamed. In November 2022, Git Credential Manager (GCM) version 2.0.866 renamed the executable from `git-credential-manager-core` to simply `git-credential-manager`. Similarly, the credential helper configuration changed from `manager-core` to just `manager`. If your Git configuration still references the old name, you'll see this fatal error. This commonly happens after upgrading Git for Windows, reinstalling Git, or when using a configuration that was set up with an older version of Git Credential Manager.

Typical symptoms

  • Fatal error appears when running git push, pull, fetch, or clone over HTTPS
  • Error message: fatal: credential-manager-core was not found
  • Git operations fail completely instead of prompting for credentials
  • Error occurs after upgrading Git for Windows or Git Credential Manager
  • Error appears in CI/CD pipelines after runner image updates
  • WSL2 Git operations fail when configured to use Windows credential manager
  • Previously working Git authentication suddenly stops working
  • Error may also appear as: git: 'credential-manager-core' is not a git command

Common causes

  1. Git configuration references deprecated 'manager-core' helper name instead of 'manager'
  2. Git Credential Manager was updated but configuration was not migrated
  3. Old configuration remains in system, global, or local Git config files
  4. WSL2 configuration points to old Windows credential manager executable path
  5. Git for Windows was reinstalled without updating existing configuration
  6. Multiple Git installations with conflicting credential helper settings
  7. Corporate/shared configuration files use outdated credential helper name
  8. Git Credential Manager was uninstalled but configuration remains

How to fix "fatal: credential-manager-core was not found"

1Update credential helper to use the new name

The simplest fix is to update your Git configuration to use the new credential helper name:

bash
# Update global configuration to use 'manager' instead of 'manager-core'
git config --global credential.helper manager

This single command should resolve the error in most cases. After running it, try your Git operation again:

bash
git fetch origin

If the error persists, continue to the next steps to check for configuration in other locations.

2Check all credential helper configurations

Git configuration can exist at multiple levels. Check all of them:

bash
# Show all credential.helper settings with their source files
git config --list --show-origin | grep credential

# Check for multiple credential helper values
git config --get-all credential.helper

You might see output like:

bash
file:C:/Program Files/Git/etc/gitconfig    credential.helper=manager-core
file:C:/Users/YourName/.gitconfig    credential.helper=manager-core

This shows exactly which configuration files contain the outdated setting.

3Update system-level configuration (if present)

If the outdated setting is in the system config, you need administrator privileges to fix it:

On Windows (run Command Prompt or PowerShell as Administrator):

bash
git config --system credential.helper manager

Or edit the file directly:

The system config is typically located at:
- C:\Program Files\Git\etc\gitconfig
- C:\Program Files\Git\mingw64\etc\gitconfig

Open the file in a text editor (as Administrator) and change:

ini
[credential]
    helper = manager-core

To:

ini
[credential]
    helper = manager
4Remove all old credential helper settings and reconfigure

If you have multiple conflicting settings, it's cleanest to remove them all and start fresh:

bash
# Remove from global config
git config --global --unset-all credential.helper

# Remove from system config (requires admin privileges)
git config --system --unset-all credential.helper

# Now set the correct helper
git config --global credential.helper manager

Verify the configuration:

bash
git config --get-all credential.helper
# Should output: manager
5Fix for WSL2 users

If you're using Git in WSL2 and want to use Windows Git Credential Manager, update the path:

Old (broken) configuration:

bash
git config --global credential.helper "/mnt/c/Program\ Files/Git/mingw64/libexec/git-core/git-credential-manager-core.exe"

New (correct) configuration:

bash
git config --global credential.helper "/mnt/c/Program\ Files/Git/mingw64/bin/git-credential-manager.exe"

Or use the simpler path if Git for Windows is in your PATH:

bash
git config --global credential.helper "git-credential-manager.exe"

Alternatively, install GCM natively in WSL:

bash
# Download the latest .deb from GitHub releases
wget https://github.com/git-ecosystem/git-credential-manager/releases/latest/download/gcm-linux_amd64.deb

# Install
sudo dpkg -i gcm-linux_amd64.deb

# Configure
git-credential-manager configure
6Reinstall Git Credential Manager (if missing)

If the credential manager is not installed at all, install it:

On Windows:
Download and install the latest Git for Windows from [git-scm.com](https://git-scm.com/download/win). During installation, select "Git Credential Manager" when prompted for credential helper options.

Using standalone installer:
Download Git Credential Manager directly from:
https://github.com/git-ecosystem/git-credential-manager/releases

On macOS:

bash
brew install git-credential-manager
git-credential-manager configure

On Linux:

bash
# Download latest release
wget https://github.com/git-ecosystem/git-credential-manager/releases/latest/download/gcm-linux_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i gcm-linux_amd64.deb
git-credential-manager configure
7Verify the fix

After applying the fix, verify everything is working:

bash
# Check current credential helper
git config credential.helper
# Should output: manager

# Test the credential manager directly
git credential-manager --version
# Should show version like: 2.4.1

# Test authentication by fetching from a remote
git fetch origin

If you can fetch without the error, the fix is complete.

If you still see errors:

bash
# Check for any remaining old configuration
git config --list --show-origin | grep -i credential

# Enable verbose output to debug credential issues
GIT_TRACE=1 git fetch origin 2>&1 | grep credential

Advanced notes

### Understanding the Credential Manager Rename

Git Credential Manager went through a significant rename in late 2022:

| Component | Old Name (Deprecated) | New Name (Current) |
|-----------|----------------------|-------------------|
| Executable | git-credential-manager-core.exe | git-credential-manager.exe |
| Config helper | manager-core | manager |
| Package name | git-credential-manager-core | git-credential-manager |

The -core suffix was originally added when GCM was rewritten as a cross-platform .NET application to distinguish it from the legacy Windows-only version. Once the new version became the standard, the suffix was dropped.

### Git for Windows Bundled Version

Git for Windows bundles Git Credential Manager. The bundled version was updated to the renamed version starting with:
- Git for Windows 2.39.0 (December 2022)

If you installed Git for Windows before this version and later upgraded, your configuration might still reference the old name.

### Configuration Precedence

Git applies configuration in this order (later overrides earlier):
1. System: /etc/gitconfig or C:\Program Files\Git\etc\gitconfig
2. Global: ~/.gitconfig or %USERPROFILE%\.gitconfig
3. Local: .git/config in the repository
4. Worktree: .git/config.worktree

A credential.helper=manager-core in system config will cause the error even if global config has the correct manager setting.

### CI/CD Pipelines

If you encounter this error in CI/CD pipelines:

GitHub Actions:

yaml
- name: Configure Git credentials
  run: |
    git config --global credential.helper manager

Azure DevOps:
The Azure Pipelines agent images are regularly updated. If you pinned an older image version, consider updating or explicitly setting the credential helper.

### Caching Credentials Without GCM

If you don't need Git Credential Manager's features (OAuth, Azure AD, multi-account support), you can use simpler alternatives:

bash
# Cache in memory for 1 hour
git config --global credential.helper 'cache --timeout=3600'

# Store in plain text file (less secure)
git config --global credential.helper store

# On macOS, use Keychain
git config --global credential.helper osxkeychain

### Using SSH Instead

To avoid credential helper issues entirely, switch to SSH authentication:

bash
# Change remote from HTTPS to SSH
git remote set-url origin git@github.com:username/repository.git

# Verify
git remote -v

SSH uses key-based authentication managed by ssh-agent, which doesn't require a Git credential helper.

Frequently asked questions

What does "fatal: credential-manager-core was not found" mean?
This error indicates that Git is trying to use a credential helper called "credential-manager-core" but cannot find it because the helper has been renamed. 866 renamed the executable from git-credential-manager-core to simply git-credential-manager. Similarly, the credential helper configuration changed from manager-core to just manager.
How do I fix "fatal: credential-manager-core was not found"?
The 'credential-manager-core was not found' error occurs when Git's configuration references the deprecated credential helper name. Git Credential Manager was renamed from 'manager-core' to 'manager' in late 2022, and older configurations need to be updated.
What causes "fatal: credential-manager-core was not found"?
Git configuration references deprecated 'manager-core' helper name instead of 'manager' Git Credential Manager was updated but configuration was not migrated Old configuration remains in system, global, or local Git config files
Is the "fatal: credential-manager-core was not found" error serious?
It is a medium-severity error — more of a blocker than a risk. The steps above resolve it.

Official resources & further reading