Can't fork a repository on GitHub

Question

I'm trying to fork this repository, but getting an error message:

You can't fork this repository at this time.

I've read the license, and tried forking from another computer using VPN, in case of security conflict of my browser and GitHub, but it still don't work, and I can't even guess why so. Please tell me, what am I doing wrong?

Bowfin

PS you could and an image by pasting the image into the stackoverflow message. – Whisenhunt

Answer 1

That sounds like a temporary GitHub issue.

Creating a fork isn't dependent of a license or vpn. It's just a http call in your browser.

Update: I forked the repo without issue.

Whisenhunt

I've just don't know what to think :)<br> "star" button is not active, fork attempts ends with an uninformative "you can't fork this repository at this time" since my first try in summer, so I've started to seek problems in all possible directions.. Thanks for help, at least I know that problem is in my account! (probably, I can just ask a friend to fork it for me) – Bowfin

Then I would recommend to contact GitHub. Those guys are really helpful. – Whisenhunt

Answer 2

This also happens if the user has blocked you

Tested today, May 2021.

A similar related message if you try to open an issue on a repository whose owner blocked you is:

You can't perform that action at this time.

You can just manually create a new repository and reupload the code there however. You just won't be able to send pull requests.

Quacksalver

Answer 3

If you already have a fork of the original repo, you cannot have another fork.
You can add the other repo as a remote though and use code from there.

Ume

While not relevant to this particular question. I did arrive to this page through a Google search, and this was the answer to my question. I couldn't fork a repo because I had already forked it. GitHub just didn't tell me this. I feel like GitHub should include a link to your account's fork when clicking that fork button. – Astrid

Answer 4

An update for 2024- apparently your account can get "flagged." I'm not sure of the process by which that happens (maybe you ever use a VPN, have a "hidden" email like using simplelogin or other services) but if that happens, you won't be able to fork. It will simply return you to the original repository page.

To fix, you can submit a ticket at https://support.github.com/request . Note- you will need 2FA enabled on your account before being able to submit a request.

Gown