GitHub Actions / GitHub Actions

GitHub Actions Docker Push Permission Denied — GHCR Authentication Failure (2026)

Fix Docker image push to GitHub Container Registry failing with permission denied or unauthorized errors in CI/CD pipelines Includes evidence for GitHub Actions troubleshooting demand.

Source-backed Last updated May 19, 2026 2 sources Needs local verification

Category: GitHub Actions
Error signature: ERROR: denied: permission_denied requesting ghcr.io/your-org/your-image OR unauthorized: authentication required
Quick fix: Verify the account session, API key, provider settings, and environment where the failing tool is running.
Updated: May 19, 2026
Verification status: Source-backed
Evidence: 2 public source URLs

Before you change production

This page includes public source URLs in the imported troubleshooting record. Compare those references with your version and environment before applying changes.

Reproduce the smallest failing action and save non-secret logs before changing configuration.
Check versions for GitHub Actions, related SDKs, package managers, CI runners, and hosting providers.
Change one setting or dependency at a time, then rerun the same failing command or request.
Avoid destructive commands, credential rotation, billing changes, or security relaxations without a rollback plan.

What this error means

ERROR: denied: permission_denied requesting ghcr.io/your-org/your-image OR unauthorized: authentication required is a GitHub Actions failure pattern reported for developers trying to fix docker image push to github container registry failing with permission denied or unauthorized errors in ci/cd pipelines. Based on the imported evidence, treat this as a tool-specific troubleshooting page rather than a generic API error.

Why this happens

Comprehensive 2026 article covering all root causes: missing packages: write scope, wrong GITHUB_TOKEN scope for private repos, Docker Hub secret misconfiguration, AWS ECR no basic auth credentials, and org-level package visibility issues. Covers GHCR, Docker Hub, and ECR registries. Distinct from covered 'npm ci lockfile error' and 'permission denied publickey'.

Common causes

Comprehensive 2026 article covering all root causes: missing packages: write scope, wrong GITHUB_TOKEN scope for private repos, Docker Hub secret misconfiguration, AWS ECR no basic auth credentials, and org-level package visibility issues. Covers GHCR, Docker Hub, and ECR registries. Distinct from covered 'npm ci lockfile error' and 'permission denied publickey'.

Quick fixes

Confirm the exact error signature matches ERROR: denied: permission_denied requesting ghcr.io/your-org/your-image OR unauthorized: authentication required.
Check the GitHub Actions account, local tool state, and provider configuration involved in the failing workflow.
Verify the account session, API key, provider settings, and environment where the failing tool is running.

Platform/tool-specific checks

Verify the command, editor, extension, or API client that produced the error.
Compare local settings with CI, deployment, or editor-level settings when the error appears in only one environment.
Avoid deleting credentials, local model data, or project settings until the failing scope is clear.

Step-by-step troubleshooting

Capture the exact error message and the command, editor action, or request that triggered it.
Check whether the failure is account/auth, quota/rate, model/provider, local runtime, or deployment configuration.
Review the source evidence below and compare it with your environment.
Apply one change at a time and rerun the smallest failing action.
Keep the working fix documented for the team or deployment environment.

How to prevent it

Keep provider/tool configuration documented.
Record non-secret diagnostics such as tool version, provider name, model name, and command path.
Add a lightweight check before CI or production workflows depend on the tool.

Diagnostic flow for this page

Match ERROR: denied: permission_denied requesting ghcr.io/your-org/your-image OR unauthorized: authentication required exactly before applying the quick fix.
Compare the failing environment with GitHub Actions versions, account scope, provider settings, and deployment context.
Check the listed common causes in order, starting with the cause that best matches your logs.
Use the evidence status below to decide whether to confirm against public sources or official documentation.
Apply one reversible change, rerun the smallest failing action, and keep rollback notes.

FAQ

What does ERROR: denied: permission_denied requesting ghcr.io/your-org/your-image OR unauthorized: authentication required mean in GitHub Actions?

ERROR: denied: permission_denied requesting ghcr.io/your-org/your-image OR unauthorized: authentication required indicates the workflow described by "GitHub Actions Docker Push Permission Denied — GHCR Authentication Failure (2026)" failed in a GitHub Actions context. Start by confirming the exact signature and the component that emitted it.

What should I check first for ERROR: denied: permission_denied requesting ghcr.io/your-org/your-image OR unauthorized: authentication required?

Check whether this cause matches your environment: Comprehensive 2026 article covering all root causes: missing packages: write scope, wrong GITHUB_TOKEN scope for private repos, Docker Hub secret misconfiguration, AWS ECR no basic auth credentials, and org-level package visibility issues. Covers GHCR, Docker Hub, and ECR registries. Distinct from covered 'npm ci lockfile error' and 'permission denied publickey'.

Is the ERROR: denied: permission_denied requesting ghcr.io/your-org/your-image OR unauthorized: authentication required guidance source-backed?

The "GitHub Actions Docker Push Permission Denied — GHCR Authentication Failure (2026)" page is labeled source-backed. It has 2 public source URLs from devopsboys.com, aimadetools.com, so use that evidence status when deciding how much additional verification you need.

When should I avoid the quick fix for ERROR: denied: permission_denied requesting ghcr.io/your-org/your-image OR unauthorized: authentication required?

For "GitHub Actions Docker Push Permission Denied — GHCR Authentication Failure (2026)", avoid applying "Verify the account session, API key, provider settings, and environment where the failing tool is running." when the error text differs, the affected version or provider is different, or the change would touch credentials, billing, DNS, production deploy settings, or irreversible data.

What should I collect before debugging ERROR: denied: permission_denied requesting ghcr.io/your-org/your-image OR unauthorized: authentication required?

For "GitHub Actions Docker Push Permission Denied — GHCR Authentication Failure (2026)", collect the failing GitHub Actions command or request, non-secret configuration, versions, timestamps, request IDs when available, and the smallest reproduction that still triggers the signature.