Brew error: Failed to create symbolic link, path not writable

Question

When I try to install the library with homebrew ( brew install aLibrary ), I got the following error:

 Could not symlink lib/pkgconfig/aFile /usr/local/lib/pkgconfig is not writable.

What should I do?

There are several questions and answers ( 1 , 2 , etc.) regarding this brew error, this is an attempt to make the general question suggested here .

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homebrew package

arthur.sw Jan 05 '15 at 17:16

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3 answers

Use the following.

 $ brew doctor

an error message will appear. If any is found, run the following option.

 $ brew prune

after removal go to agian link

 $ brew link python

+1

eltechnochamo Mar 10 '17 at 20:30

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I uninstalled brew, reinstalled, then the problems disappeared.

0

Giant Elk May 19 '16 at 4:03

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arthur.sw · Accepted Answer · 2015-01-05 17:16

As explained here by Rick :

Start with a brew doctor who will show you the errors with setting up brew.

You may see something like this: "Warning: / usr / local / lib / pkgconfig is not writable."

This will give you advice: "You should probably chown / usr / local / lib / pkgconfig."

This means: sudo chown -R $(whoami) /usr/local/lib/pkgconfig

Then you will need to link the files to this: brew link yourLibrary

If this does not work, then the output of brew doctor will give you enough to continue your search.