Solving the permission denied to create database Error in PostgreSQL Restoration

Learn how to fix the "permission denied to create database" error when restoring a PostgreSQL database with step-by-step instructions.
---

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: Postgres SQL Restore Permission denied to create and alter database

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
Solving the permission denied to create database Error in PostgreSQL Restoration

When working with PostgreSQL, users often encounter various permissions-related issues, especially when trying to restore a database from a backup. This can be particularly frustrating when you've taken the time to create a backup and are now met with a roadblock. One common error is the permission denied to create database message, which can stop your restoration process in its tracks. Let's break down this problem and how to effectively resolve it.

Understanding the Issue

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

You encounter the error:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This indicates that the role (user) you're using to restore the database, in this case, the mayan role, lacks the necessary permissions to create a new database. This is a common issue with user privileges and can be easily fixed with a few straightforward adjustments.

Fixing the Permission Error

To resolve this permission issue, you will need to alter the role associated with your database user. Here's how you can do that:

Step 1: Access PostgreSQL as a Superuser

To make changes to the role, you need to log in to your PostgreSQL database as a superuser or a user with sufficient privileges. You can do this with the following command:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

The postgres user typically has superuser privileges by default.

Step 2: Modify the Role Permissions

Once logged in, you will need to grant the CREATEDB privilege to the mayan role using this SQL command:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This command elevates the capabilities of the mayan user, allowing it to create new databases.

Step 3: Confirm the Changes

After executing the command, it’s good practice to check the role’s updated permissions. You can do this by running:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This will display a list of roles along with their attributes, including the ability to create databases. Ensure mayan now has the Create DB privilege.

Step 4: Retry the Restoration Process

Now that the role has been updated, exit the PostgreSQL prompt and attempt to run your original restoration command again:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

If all went well, the restoration should proceed without the permission error.

Additional Considerations

While the above steps will resolve the permission denied to create database problem, keep in mind that there may be other aspects of the database restoration that require elevated privileges. For instance, creating extensions or adjusting tables might require superuser access as well. Always ensure that the user role has appropriate permissions for the operations you intend to perform.

Conclusion

Dealing with permission errors in PostgreSQL can be overwhelming, but with the right adjustments, like modifying user roles, these issues can be resolved efficiently. Remember to verify user permissions regularly, especially when managing database backups and restorations.

By following the steps outlined in this blog, you should now have a clearer understanding of how to handle the permissions for restoring your PostgreSQL database effectively.