peer authentication failed for user postgres - what should I do now?

Question

I just installed PostgreSQL 9.4 on Ubuntu 15.10.I created a user with createuser -P myuserI created a database with createdb -O myuser mydatabaseI edited pg_hba.conf and added local mydatabase myuser md5I restarted PostgreSQL with sudo service postgresql restartUser myuser is a PostgresSQL user only and has no user account on Ubuntu.When I try to connect to the database with psql -W mydatabase myuser it fails with psql: FATAL: Peer authentication failed for user "myuser".PostgreSQL is running …● postgresql.service - PostgreSQL RDBMS Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/postgresql.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled) Active: active (excited) since Thu 2016-03-03 09:53:00 CET; 9min ago Process: 22219 ExecStart=/bin/true (code=exited, status=0/SUCCESS) Main PID: 22219 (code=exited, status=0/SUCCESS)Mar 03 09:53:00 SERVER01 systemd[1]: Starting PostgreSQL RDBMS...Mar 03 09:53:00 SERVER01 systemd[1]: Started PostgreSQL RDBMS.... and listening.Proto Recv-Q Send-Q Local Address Foreign Address Statetcp 0 0 localhost:postgresql *:* LISTENtcp6 0 0 localhost:postgresql [::]:* LISTENActive UNIX domain sockets (only servers)Proto RefCnt Flags Type State I-Node Pathunix 2 [ ACC ] STREAM LISTENING 151534 /var/run/postgresql/.s.PGSQL.5432What do I have to do to connect with user myuser to database mydatabase?

Ai · Accepted Answer

If peer authentication failed for user postgres - First... check that you have the lines permissioning to the myuser user in pg_hba.conf. For example:# IPv4 local connections: host all all 127.0.0.1/32 md5 # IPv6 local connections: host all all ::1/128 md5Or any other lines of permission to IPV4 (and IPv6 if you use) with: TYPE DATABASE USER ADDRESS METHOD After this check, run the psql as follows: psql -h localhost -U myuser mydatabase And then, at the requested prompt, enter the user's password myuser.

Ranjana Admin · Answer

Resolving "Peer Authentication Failed For User Postgres" Error The "Peer authentication failed for user postgres" error usually happens when PostgreSQL tries to authenticate a connection using peer authentication, but the operating system user doesn't match the PostgreSQL user. Here's how to resolve this issue: 1. Switch to the Postgres User If you have sudo privileges, switch to the postgres user before running the psql command:sudo -i -u postgres psql2. Modify the pg_hba.conf FileChange the authentication method in the pg_hba.conf file from peer to password-based authentication.Locate the pg_hba.conf file:Common locations include: Debian-based systems: /etc/postgresql//main/pg_hba.conf Red Hat-based systems: /var/lib/pgsql//data/pg_hba.conf Alternatively, run the following query to find the file location:SHOW hba_file; Edit the pg_hba.conf file: local all postgres peerChange peer to md5 or password:local all postgres md5 Restart PostgreSQL: Apply the changes by restarting PostgreSQL:sudo systemctl restart postgresql For older systems:sudo service postgresql restart

peer authentication failed for user postgres - what should I do now?

About this question

Your answer

2 Answers

More SQL Server discussions

Learn & Explore

SQL Server Tutorials

SQL Server Interview Q&A

Latest SQL Server Blogs

Want answers to more SQL Server questions?

Stay in the loop — it’s free

You’re on the list!