How can I troubleshoot the “PostgreSQL role doesn’t exist” issue in SQL?

1.5K Asked by CharlesParr in SQL Server , Asked on Dec 26, 2023

I was setting up a new user for my PostgreSQL Database. During the process j have created a role and granted the required permissions, however, when I was attempting to log in account using that user, I encountered an error that said “Postgres role does not exist”. What steps should I take to resolve this particular issue?

Answered by Daniel Cameron

In the context of SQL if you are facing the error related to “Postgres role does not exist” then it might be due to an attempt to use a role or username that is not created in the database of PostgreSQL. Another possible reason could be that the user doesn’t have the required permissions. The third possible reason could be that the case sensitivity of the role name doesn’t match with the setting of the database.

Here is the sample given how you can troubleshoot and resolve the “postgresSQL role does not exist” error in PostgreSQL:-

Check for typos in the role name or ensure proper case sensitivity

    SELECT rolname FROM pg_roles WHERE rolname = ‘your_role_name’;

Confirm the user’s existence in the database

du your_role_name

Ensure proper login privileges are granted to the role

    GRANT CONNECT ON DATABASE your_database TO your_role_name;

Verify the role’s permissions and privileges

dp your_table_name

Check if the role exists in the pg_roles table

    SELECT * FROM pg_roles WHERE rolname = ‘your_role_name’;

Your Answer

Answer (1)

Ranjana

If you’re encountering the “PostgreSQL role doesn’t exist” error, it means that PostgreSQL can’t find the specified role (user) in the database. This is a common issue, and troubleshooting it can usually be done by checking a few key areas. Here’s how to resolve it:

1. Check the Role Name in Your Connection Command

Ensure that the role (user) you’re using to connect to PostgreSQL matches an existing role in the database.

Example connection command:

  psql -U myuser -d mydatabase

If myuser doesn’t exist, PostgreSQL will throw the error.

2. Verify Existing Roles in PostgreSQL

You can list all roles by connecting with a valid role and running:

du

This will display a list of roles in your PostgreSQL instance. If your role isn’t listed, it hasn’t been created yet.

3. Create the Missing Role

If the role truly doesn’t exist, you can create it using:

  CREATE ROLE myuser WITH LOGIN PASSWORD 'mypassword';

4. Check PostgreSQL Configuration

Make sure PostgreSQL is connecting to the right database and that your role exists in the correct cluster.

5. Check for Typos

Sometimes, the error occurs due to simple typos or case sensitivity issues. PostgreSQL is case-sensitive, so ensure that the role name matches exactly.

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