How to Fix PostgreSQL Error: Database System is in Recovery Mode

This message appears when connecting to a PostgreSQL server that is in recovery mode - either recovering from a crash or operating as a hot standby replica.

Impact

Database is read-only during recovery. Write operations are rejected. On standby servers, this is normal and expected.

Common Causes

1. Server is hot standby replica
2. Crash recovery in progress
3. Point-in-time recovery (PITR)
4. Standby promotion not complete

Troubleshooting and Resolution Steps

1. Check if server is standby:

   SELECT pg_is_in_recovery();
   -- Returns true if in recovery
   

2. Wait for recovery to complete:

   # Watch logs for completion
   tail -f /var/log/postgresql/postgresql-15-main.log
   

3. Promote standby if needed:

   # Promote standby to primary
   pg_ctl promote -D /var/lib/postgresql/15/main
   

Additional Information

• Normal state for read replicas
• Read-only during recovery
• Some operations restricted even with hot_standby
• Monitor recovery progress in logs

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I write to a standby server?
A: No, standby servers are read-only. Write to primary server.

Q: How long does recovery take?
A: Depends on amount of WAL to replay. Minutes to hours for large databases.