Incorrect PostgreSQL server settings

Oct 13, 2025 by pynkocean.com 60 views

Fatal Error: The pgAdmin 4 Server Could Not Be Contacted (Already Tried Solution in Other Thread)

Introduction

As a PostgreSQL user, you may have encountered the frustrating error message "The pgAdmin 4 server could not be contacted" when trying to access your database using pgAdmin 4. This error can be particularly puzzling, especially if you're new to pgAdmin 4 or PostgreSQL. In this article, we'll explore the possible causes of this error and provide step-by-step solutions to help you resolve the issue.

Understanding the Error

The "The pgAdmin 4 server could not be contacted" error typically occurs when pgAdmin 4 is unable to establish a connection to the PostgreSQL server. This can be due to various reasons, including:

Incorrect PostgreSQL server settings: pgAdmin 4 requires the correct PostgreSQL server settings to establish a connection. If the settings are incorrect, you may encounter this error.
Firewall or network issues: Firewalls or network issues can prevent pgAdmin 4 from connecting to the PostgreSQL server.
PostgreSQL server not running: If the PostgreSQL server is not running, pgAdmin 4 will not be able to connect to it.
pgAdmin 4 configuration issues: pgAdmin 4 configuration issues can also cause this error.

Troubleshooting Steps

Before we dive into the solutions, let's go through some basic troubleshooting steps:

Check the PostgreSQL server status: Ensure that the PostgreSQL server is running and listening on the correct port (default is 5432).
Verify the PostgreSQL server settings: Double-check the PostgreSQL server settings in pgAdmin 4 to ensure they are correct.
Check the firewall settings: Ensure that the firewall is not blocking the connection to the PostgreSQL server.
Restart the PostgreSQL server: Restart the PostgreSQL server to ensure it's running correctly.

Solution 1: Run as Administrator

One of the most common solutions to this error is to run pgAdmin 4 as an administrator. To do this:

Right-click on the pgAdmin 4 executable (usually located in the Start menu or on the desktop).
Select "Run as administrator" from the context menu.
Click "Yes" to confirm that you want to run the program as an administrator.

Running pgAdmin 4 as an administrator should resolve the issue. If not, proceed to the next solution.

Solution 2: Remove AppData/Roaming Files

Another solution is to remove the AppData/Roaming files associated with pgAdmin 4. To do this:

Close pgAdmin 4.
Navigate to the AppData/Roaming folder (usually located in the user's profile directory, e.g., C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming).
Delete the pgAdmin 4 folder.
Restart pgAdmin 4.

Removing the AppData/Roaming files should resolve the issue. If not, proceed to the next solution.

Solution 3: Restart PostgreSQL Server

If the above solutions don't work, try restarting the PostgreSQL server:

Stop the PostgreSQL server service (usually located in the Services console).
Wait for a few seconds.
Start the PostgreSQL server service.
Restart pgAdmin 4.

Restarting the PostgreSQL server should resolve the issue. If not, proceed to the next solution.

Solution 4: Check Firewall Settings

Firewall settings can prevent pgAdmin 4 from connecting to the PostgreSQL server. To check the firewall settings:

Open the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security console.
Check if the PostgreSQL server is listed in the allowed applications.
Add the PostgreSQL server to the allowed applications if it's not already listed.
Restart pgAdmin 4.

Checking the firewall settings should resolve the issue. If not, proceed to the next solution.

Solution 5: Reinstall pgAdmin 4

If none of the above solutions work, try reinstalling pgAdmin 4:

Uninstall pgAdmin 4 from the Control Panel.
Download and install the latest version of pgAdmin 4.
Restart pgAdmin 4.

Reinstalling pgAdmin 4 should resolve the issue.

Conclusion

The "The pgAdmin 4 server could not be contacted" error can be frustrating, but it's often caused by simple issues that can be resolved with the right troubleshooting steps. By following the solutions outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve the issue and access your PostgreSQL database using pgAdmin 4.
Frequently Asked Questions: The pgAdmin 4 Server Could Not Be Contacted Error

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the possible causes of the "The pgAdmin 4 server could not be contacted" error and provided step-by-step solutions to help you resolve the issue. However, we understand that you may still have questions about this error. In this article, we'll address some of the most frequently asked questions about this error.

Q: What is the "The pgAdmin 4 server could not be contacted" error?

A: The "The pgAdmin 4 server could not be contacted" error is a common issue that occurs when pgAdmin 4 is unable to establish a connection to the PostgreSQL server.

Q: Why do I get this error?

A: You may get this error due to various reasons, including incorrect PostgreSQL server settings, firewall or network issues, PostgreSQL server not running, or pgAdmin 4 configuration issues.

Q: How do I troubleshoot this error?

A: To troubleshoot this error, follow these steps:

Check the PostgreSQL server status to ensure it's running and listening on the correct port (default is 5432).
Verify the PostgreSQL server settings in pgAdmin 4 to ensure they are correct.
Check the firewall settings to ensure they are not blocking the connection to the PostgreSQL server.
Restart the PostgreSQL server to ensure it's running correctly.

Q: What are the common solutions to this error?

A: The common solutions to this error include:

Running pgAdmin 4 as an administrator.
Removing the AppData/Roaming files associated with pgAdmin 4.
Restarting the PostgreSQL server.
Checking the firewall settings.
Reinstalling pgAdmin 4.

Q: Why do I need to run pgAdmin 4 as an administrator?

A: Running pgAdmin 4 as an administrator is necessary to ensure that the program has the necessary permissions to access the PostgreSQL server.

Q: What happens if I remove the AppData/Roaming files?

A: Removing the AppData/Roaming files will reset the pgAdmin 4 configuration to its default settings.

Q: Why do I need to restart the PostgreSQL server?

A: Restarting the PostgreSQL server ensures that the server is running correctly and is not causing the connection issue.

Q: How do I check the firewall settings?

A: To check the firewall settings, open the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security console and ensure that the PostgreSQL server is listed in the allowed applications.

Q: What if none of the solutions work?

A: If none of the solutions work, try reinstalling pgAdmin 4 or seeking further assistance from the PostgreSQL community or support team.

Q: Is this error specific to Windows or can it occur on other operating systems?

A: This error can occur on any operating system that supports pgAdmin 4, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Q: Can I prevent this error from occurring in the future?

A: Yes, you can prevent this error from occurring in the future by regularly checking the PostgreSQL server status, verifying the PostgreSQL server settings, and ensuring that the firewall settings are not blocking the connection to the PostgreSQL server.

Conclusion

We hope this Q&A article has provided you with the information you need to resolve the "The pgAdmin 4 server could not be contacted" error. Remember to always follow the troubleshooting steps and solutions outlined in this article to ensure that you can access your PostgreSQL database using pgAdmin 4.