The postgresql-x64-9.6 service on local computer started and then stopped. Some services stop automatically if they are not in use

Question

Postgresql service not starting in services.msc. it is showing below message while starting PostgreSQL service in Window server 2008 R2.

" The postgresql-x64-9.6 service on local computer started and then stopped. Some services stop automatically if they are not in use by other services or programs."

Answer 1

I had this same issue. and i followed @Craig Ringer's advice. when i check the event viewer i got this error.2018-06-18 12:34:11.222 GMT [4200] FATAL: lock file "postmaster.pid" already exists 2018-06-18 12:34:11.222 GMT [4200] HINT: Is another postmaster (PID 6172) running in data directory "C:/Program Files/PostgreSQL/10/data"? so i deleted the "postmaster.pid" file in my postgreSQL data directory, start the service again and this time around, the service started properly. This error might be due to incomplete shutdown of the postgreSQL service.

Answer 2

For some reasons postgresql process is still running in the background.

You can encounter this problem if your system forcefully shutdowns down. Solution:

1. Windows + X (Open task Manager - Processes)

2. Find all running postgresql services and 'End Task'.

After all processes have ended. You can reopen task manager to ensure no postgres services is running.

3. Restart Postgresql server

Answer 3

I've solved same issue. Here I have done. I deleted two files and then restart service. Please these files:postmaster.opts, postmaster.pid in "C:/Program Files/PostgreSQL/10/data" directory. As you seen @Abodesegun Ezekiel's answer, I deleted one more file called "postmaster.opts" and it worked for me.

Hope it will be helpful.

Answer 4

I have an additional answer to the ones here as to why the somewhat misleading error message can occur, which is now a newer version, 12.2 vs 9.6, ("The postgresql-x64-12 - PostgreSQL 12 Server service on Local Computer started and then stopped. Some services stop automatically if they are not in use by other services or programs.)

Apparently, errors in the pg_hba.conf file will cause the error message above to appear, and the service failed to start.

In my case, I had edited the file and failed to comment out (#) a comment properly. After much Googling, I never saw that mentioned but DID finally remember to double-check my edits, and there the problem was a simple mistake.

I fixed it and the service now starts, no problem.

-Windows 10 x64 Enterprise 1909 18363.752 -PostgreSQL 12.2 (Windows)