Could not find UI helper 'GitHub.UI'

Problem Statement

When attempting to push changes from Git Bash after a fresh Git for Windows installation (version 2.39.0 and above), users encounter this error:

warning: could not find UI helper 'GitHub.UI'

Following this warning:

1. The push operation hangs indefinitely
2. No authentication prompt appears
3. Users must terminate the process with Ctrl + C
4. Pushing works through alternative clients like GitHub Desktop

This credential helper issue primarily affects Git for Windows 2.39.0, preventing authentication dialogs from appearing in Git Bash.

Note

The same issue occurs with Atlassian/Bitbucket repositories (Atlassian.Bitbucket.UI) and Azure DevOps (Microsoft.Authentication).

Verified Solutions

Solution 1: Update Git (Recommended)

Git 2.39.0(2) and newer versions contain a fix for this bug:

1. Download the latest Git version from the official repository
2. Run the installer with all default settings
3. Reopen Git Bash and attempt your operation

Solution 2: Downgrade to Git 2.38

If issues persist after updating:

1. Uninstall Git via Windows Control Panel
2. Download Git 2.38.1
3. Customize during installation:
   • Select "Use the Nano editor by default"
   • Choose "Git from the command line and also from 3rd-party software"
   • Select "Use bundled OpenSSH"
   • For Credential Helper: Keep default selection (Git Credential Manager Core)
4. Complete installation and verify functionality

Compatibility

The downgrade method is confirmed effective for GitHub, Bitbucket, and Azure DevOps repositories.

Alternative Solutions

Use these workarounds if solutions 1-2 aren't viable:

Authenticate with Personal Access Token (PAT)

1. Generate a GitHub PAT with repo permissions
2. When prompted during clone/push:
   • Select "Token" as authentication method
   • Enter your PAT instead of password
   • Git will cache credentials for future operations

Change Terminal Environment

Authentication interfaces work correctly in these alternatives:

• Windows Command Prompt (CMD)
• Windows Terminal
• GitHub Desktop

Manual Credential Management

Pass credentials directly in repository URLs:

git clone https://username:password@github.com/user/repo.git

Or configure credential storage:

git config --global credential.helper store

Solution 3: Reinstall Without Credential Helper

:::caution Use as Last Resort This disables convenient authentication prompts:

1. Uninstall Git
2. During reinstallation, at "Credential Helper Selection":
3. Choose None
4. Complete installation

:::

Root Cause

A regression in Git for Windows 2.39.0 broke the integration between the Git Credential Manager (GCM) and Git Bash. This prevented authentication dialogs from appearing when operations required user credentials.

The issue affected:

• GitHub (GitHub.UI)
• Bitbucket (Atlassian.Bitbucket.UI)
• Azure DevOps (Microsoft.Authentication)
• Other cloud-hosted Git services

Prevention

1. Verify Git version compatibility before upgrading
2. Subscribe to Git for Windows release notes
3. Test authentication flows after significant updates
4. Maintain PATs as backup credentials

Fixed versions: v2.39.0(2) and newer