Resolve Ident authentication failed for user 'postgres' Error in pgAdmin

Learn how to troubleshoot and fix the `Ident authentication failed for user "postgres"` error in pgAdmin when connecting to PostgreSQL on Linux.
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Troubleshooting the Ident authentication failed for user "postgres" Error in pgAdmin

In this guide, we'll explore this problem in detail and provide a comprehensive solution to connect successfully.

Understanding the Problem

Given the following connection parameters you might typically use in pgAdmin:

Hostname/address: localhost

Port: 5432

Maintenance database: postgres

Username: postgres

Password: postgres

When you see the Ident authentication failed error, it often means that PostgreSQL is not allowing the requested method for user authentication. Instead of using a password, PostgreSQL may be trying to authenticate via Ident, which matches the OS user to the database role. If they don’t match, the connection will be rejected.

What Causes This Error?

User and Group Mismatch: The user trying to connect may not have the proper identification with the operating system or may not exist in PostgreSQL as expected.

Step-by-Step Solution

To resolve this issue, you need to modify the authentication method in the PostgreSQL configuration files accurately. Below are the clear steps to follow.

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Change the line related to host authentication to use md5 instead:

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Make sure these lines are present and correctly set:

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3. Restart PostgreSQL

After making these changes, restart the PostgreSQL server to apply the new configuration:

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4. Test Your Connection

Now, go back to pgAdmin and attempt to connect again using the same credentials:

Username: postgres

Password: postgres

5. Check Connection Status

To verify PostgreSQL is running and listening properly, you can check its status:

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You should see that the service is "active (running)" without any errors.

Conclusion

Feel free to reach out if you have additional questions or need further assistance!