- 19 Sep, 2025
- 0 Comments
- 1 Min Read
FATAL: database “dbname” does not exist
🚨 PostgreSQL Database Does Not Exist – Error Explained
If you’ve ever tried connecting to PostgreSQL and seen the error:
FATAL: database "dbname" does not exist
Why Does This Error Happen?
The PostgreSQL database does not exist error usually occurs because:
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The database was never created.
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You’re connecting with the wrong database name.
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A script or application is pointing to a non-existing database.
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The database was dropped accidentally.
5 Simple Fixes for PostgreSQL Database Does Not Exist Error
1. List all existing databases
Log in as a superuser and run:
\l
This shows all available databases.
2. Create the missing database
If the database isn’t listed, create it:
CREATE DATABASE dbname;
3. Assign ownership to the correct role
ALTER DATABASE dbname OWNER TO username;
4. Check your connection string
Make sure the application is connecting with the right database name:
Conclusion
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For more detailed insights and tutorials, do check out our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@learnomate, where we regularly share practical tips and deep dives into essential database topics. And if you’re serious about mastering PostgreSQL DBA, head over to our website for our full training program: learnomate.org/training/postgresql-training/.
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