Fix “error: failed to push some refs to” and Recover Files

May 28, 2025 (updated June 19, 2025)

By WinFR Admin

If you’ve ever tried pushing your code in Git and suddenly saw the message “error: failed to push some refs to,” you know how frustrating it can be. It usually means your local branch isn’t up to date with the remote one, or there’s a conflict that’s stopping your changes from going through. Don’t worry — this is super common and totally fixable! In this article, I’ll walk you through simple steps to fix this error and get your push working again. Plus, if you happen to lose any files while sorting this out, I’ll also introduce you to Winfr, a handy Windows command-line tool for recovering lost files. Whether you’re new to Git or just need a quick refresher, this guide will help you get back on track without breaking a sweat.

Table of Contents

Fix Git “error: failed to push some refs to”

When you see the message “error: failed to push some refs to” in Git, it means Git stopped you from uploading your local changes to the remote repository. This usually happens because your local branch is behind the remote branch or there are conflicts that need fixing. It protects your project from accidentally overwriting others’ work or causing data loss.

Cause	What It Means	How It Blocks Push
Your local branch is outdated	Remote has new commits you don’t	Git stops push to avoid overwrite
Merge conflicts	You and others changed same files	Git requires you to fix conflicts
Permission problems	You don’t have access to push	Push is denied for security
Network or remote issues	Connection problems or repo errors	Push cannot complete

How to fix it:

Pull latest changes: run git pull to update your local branch.
Resolve conflicts if any, then commit.
If necessary and safe, use git push --force to overwrite remote (be cautious).
Check your permissions and network connection.

Lost files? Use Winfr CMD

Sometimes fixing Git errors or merges can cause accidental file loss. If that happens, use Winfr CMD (Windows File Recovery) — a free Microsoft tool that recovers deleted or lost files on Windows. It’s especially useful if your Git project files get deleted or corrupted during troubleshooting.

Basic Syntax of Winfr

winfr source-drive: destination-folder [/mode] [/n filename] [/y:filetype]

Parameter Explanation

Parameter	Description
/mode	Specifies the recovery mode: regular, segment, signature
/n	Specifies the file name or pattern to recover
/y	Specifies the file type (e.g., .docx, .jpg)

Usage Examples of Winfr

Now, let’s look at some simple examples to show how winfr works in real situations. These practical commands will help you recover deleted files step-by-step, so you can see exactly how to use the tool when you really need it.

Example 1: Recover all deleted Word documents from C: drive to D:\Recovery using regular mode:

Step 1: Make sure you’ve created a folder named D:\Recovery to store the recovered files.

Step 2: Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

Step 3: Run the command below to search for deleted Word documents using regular mode.

winfr C: D:\Recovery /regular /n *.docx

Explanation: Recovers all deleted .docx files from the C: drive.

Example 2: Recover deleted images using signature mode:

Step 1: Create a recovery folder at D:\Recovery if it doesn’t exist yet.

Step 2: Open Command Prompt with admin privileges.

Step 3: Use the command below to run a deep scan for deleted images.

winfr C: D:\Recovery /signature /n *.jpg

Explanation: Uses signature mode for deeper recovery of .jpg images.

Example 3: Recover all files matching a specific pattern:

Step 1: Prepare the recovery folder: D:\Recovery.

Step 2: Launch Command Prompt as Administrator.

Step 3: Run the command below to match files by a specific naming pattern.

winfr C: D:\Recovery /regular /n project_*.*

Explanation: Recovers files starting with “project_” from C: drive.

Common Issues and Tips When Using Winfr

Winfr Command Fails or Returns No Files: Make sure you run CMD as administrator and the source drive is correctly specified.
Recovered Files are Corrupted: Try using /signature mode for damaged file systems.
Not Enough Space on Destination Drive: Ensure the recovery drive has sufficient free space.
File Overwrite Risks: Stop using the source drive to avoid overwriting deleted files before recovery.
Understanding Recovery Modes: Use regular mode for recent deletions; use signature mode for files deleted long ago or from damaged disks.

What to Do if Winfr Command Fails: Use WinfrGUI

If the Winfr command-line tool can’t recover your important files, don’t worry. WinfrGUI offers a free, easy-to-use graphical interface built on the same powerful engine. No command-line skills required—just simple, effective file recovery at your fingertips.

Download WinfrGUI Free

Related Commands and Tools to Explore

git pull – Fetches and merges changes from remote repository to local.
git merge – Combines multiple branches.
git push –force – Forces pushing changes (use with caution).
chkdsk – Windows disk check utility to fix file system errors.

Final Thoughts

Encountering the “error: failed to push some refs to” message can feel frustrating, but it usually means your local and remote repositories aren’t perfectly synchronized or there’s a small conflict that needs resolving. In most cases, pulling the latest changes from the remote repo and carefully handling any merge conflicts will get you back on track quickly. However, sometimes things don’t go as planned, and you might accidentally lose a few important files during the process. That’s where recovery tools like Winfr become invaluable. Winfr lets you easily recover deleted files directly from your Windows PC without any hassle, giving you peace of mind. By applying the tips and steps outlined here, you not only fix the Git push error but also ensure your valuable data stays safe and recoverable. This way, you can keep your focus on coding and development without unnecessary stress or interruptions.

🔗 Also Read: How to Change Directory in CMD [Windows 10/11]