# Git LFS "LFS: Fatal error: Server error" (500) in CI

> Fix Git LFS "LFS: Fatal error: Server error" in CI - the LFS object store returned a 5xx while streaming an object, usually a transient server or storage-backend issue.

Source: https://latchkey.dev/learn/command-reference/git-lfs-server-error-500-in-ci  
Updated: 2026-06-30

The LFS server or its storage backend returned a 5xx while transferring an object. Unlike a 403 or 404, this is a server-side fault and is often transient, clearing on retry.

## Using this in CI

CI checkouts are shallow and detached by default, which changes the answer this command gives you. Commands that read history, branch names, or tags need the checkout configured for it.

```.github/workflows/ci.yml
- uses: actions/checkout@v4
  with:
    fetch-depth: 0   # history, tags, and git describe all need this

- run: |
    git rev-parse --is-shallow-repository   # expect false
    git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD          # prints HEAD when detached
```

> `git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD` returns the literal string `HEAD` on a detached checkout rather than a branch name. On GitHub Actions read `github.ref_name` instead; the git command cannot know what it was checked out for.

## FAQ

### What causes Git LFS "LFS: fatal error: server error" (500) in CI?

There are 2 common causes: a transient fault in the lfs storage backend and a large object timing out on the backend. The object store hit a temporary error while streaming the blob.

### How do I fix Git LFS "LFS: fatal error: server error" (500) in CI?

There are 2 fixes depending on which cause you have: retry the fetch and reduce concurrency for large objects. Work through them in order, since the first is the most common.

### What does Git LFS "LFS: fatal error: server error" (500) in CI actually mean?

git lfs pull or checkout fails with "LFS: Fatal error: Server error: https://.../objects/..." or "Error downloading object: ...

### How do I stop Git LFS "LFS: fatal error: server error" (500) in CI happening again?

Add a bounded retry around LFS fetches in CI. The prevention section lists 3 changes that keep it from recurring.

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Latchkey runs CI/CD that repairs its own failures. Agent entry points: https://latchkey.dev/agent.txt, https://latchkey.dev/openapi.json, https://latchkey.dev/llms.txt