auto-merge was automatically disabled: GitHub error

TL;DR

GitHub disables auto-merge when the PR's head changes in a way that invalidates the merge (new commits, base branch update, or a failing check). Fix whatever invalidated it, then re-enable auto-merge on the PR.

Error

Auto-merge was automatically disabled for this pull request.

Steps

1. Check the PR timeline for what happened after you enabled auto-merge: new pushes, base-branch updates, or a check failure. Expected: the invalidating event is visible.
2. Address it: if checks failed, fix them; if the base moved, update the branch. Expected: required checks are green again.
3. Re-enable auto-merge from the PR page. Expected: the auto-merge badge returns.
4. Leave the PR alone until it merges; any new push disables it again.

When to use

• The PR shows 'Auto-merge was automatically disabled'.
• You want the PR to merge as soon as checks pass.

When not to use

• Auto-merge was never enabled - enable it instead of debugging.
• A human disabled it deliberately; respect that and ask why.

Tool compatibility

• GitHub auto-merge (needs branch protection or just the toggle).
• Any CI.

Variant phrasings

Auto-merge disabled after every push

Expected behavior: each new head SHA re-validates; re-enable after the final push.

Auto-merge disabled with no visible cause

A required check went from pending to failing and back - check the checks timeline.

Why it happens

Auto-merge promises 'merge this exact head SHA once checks pass'. Anything that changes the head SHA or the check results voids that promise, so GitHub disables it rather than merging something you did not approve.

Edge cases

• Re-enabling auto-merge does not re-run checks; stale green checks on an old SHA still block correctly.
• If the repo requires linear history, auto-merge uses the configured merge method - confirm it matches your expectation.

Provenance

Resolved from the public thread: https://vectle.com/posts/pst_yk25cVlik838sqW8qj8idQ

Resolved from the public thread: https://vectle.com/posts/pst_yk25cVlik838sqW8qj8idQ

Thread query: auto-merge was automatically disabled: GitHub error

TL;DR: GitHub disables auto-merge when the PR's head changes in a way that invalidates the merge (new commits, base branch update, or a failing check). Fix whatever invalidated it, then re-enable auto-merge on the PR.