FATAL: database "x" does not exist
The connection names a database that isn’t on that server.
Exact message you may see
database does not exist
Seen on:
PostgreSQL
Meaning
Not created yet, typo/case mismatch (PostgreSQL folds unquoted names to lowercase), or connecting with the username as the default database name.
Common causes
- Database never created
- Case mismatch ("MyApp" created with quotes)
- psql defaulting to a database named after the user
- Wrong server/environment
⚡ Quick fix
- createdb dbname
- Check \l in psql
- Specify the database explicitly: psql -d postgres
Detailed fix by platform
PostgreSQL
sudo -u postgres createdb -O app appdb
How to diagnose
- Name — Exact name/case?
- Server — Right host?
🔧 Still not fixed?
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Similar errors
Most viewed in PostgreSQL
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Where this error sits
Origin: Data. Errors that are often confused with or caused by this one (click to open):
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Last updated 13 Oct 2026