# Undefined reference errors when linking GLFW with MinGW

**URL:** <https://discourse.glfw.org/t/undefined-reference-errors-when-linking-glfw-with-mingw/1771>\
**Category:** support\
**Created:** [February 18, 2021, 4:51pm UTC](https://discourse.glfw.org/t/undefined-reference-errors-when-linking-glfw-with-mingw/1771 "2021-02-18T16:51:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 2

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**Author:** ![Ripytide](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex035/user_avatar/discourse.glfw.org/ripytide/32/470_2.png) [@Ripytide](https://discourse.glfw.org/u/Ripytide)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 5:37pm UTC](https://discourse.glfw.org/t/undefined-reference-errors-when-linking-glfw-with-mingw/1771/2 "2021-02-18T17:37:39Z")

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So I understand that this error is happening in the linking stage of the compilation process as the object files compile fine. While reading [this post](https://discourse.glfw.org/t/linking-glfw-on-the-command-line-not-working/1730/9) I saw that [mmozeiko](https://discourse.glfw.org/u/mmozeiko) gave commented a gcc command where the usual link flag `-l` was ignored so instead of `gcc test.c -lglfw3` he wrote `gcc test.c libglfw3.a` I tried this and below and behold, it fixes my issue. Why is this the case? I understand that this is something to do with gcc and not glfw so I won’t be offended if no one responds.

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_[View the full topic](https://discourse.glfw.org/t/undefined-reference-errors-when-linking-glfw-with-mingw/1771)._