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08006

PostgreSQL 08006: connection_failure

Verified with sources3 sourcesReviewed Aug 23, 2026
Trace

Evidence linked to this decision

View source: PostgreSQL 18 Appendix A: Error Codes

Risk level

High

Professional inspection is recommended.

Urgency

Medium

Quick answer

SQLSTATE 08006 (connection_failure) means an established PostgreSQL connection failed. Diagnose the named condition before retrying.

Safety first

Safe checks you can perform

  • Correlate the disconnect before reconnecting

What a technician must be able to justify

A technician is coming

These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.

These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.

    Before accepting a part or repair

    Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.

    Follow these steps

    Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.

    1. Correlate the disconnect before reconnecting

      Tools required

      Record whether the query may have committed, then compare the disconnect timestamp with database, proxy and platform events. Reconnect only after readiness succeeds; retry a write only when its outcome is known or the operation has an idempotency key.

      Evidence: PostgreSQL 18 Appendix A: Error Codes · PostgreSQL error and notice fields · PostgreSQL database connection control functions

    Still not solved

    If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.

    Virtual technician

    Does 08006 still appear after these checks?

    This guided flow uses the exact code and your answers to choose a test, an expected result and the next branch.

    Where this code applies

    A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.

    Primary scope

    System
    Software and systems
    Brand
    PostgreSQL
    Product type
    Database

    Known code variants

    • connection_failure
    • PostgreSQL 08006
    • SQLSTATE 08006

    What it means

    PostgreSQL assigns 08006 to connection_failure in Class 08 — Connection Exception. Applications should branch on the stable SQLSTATE and structured error fields, not localized message text.

    Symptoms and causes

    Probable causes · in order

    • Likely trigger in this requestCommon

      The backend, network path, proxy or TLS session ended while the application still considered the connection alive.

      Evidence: PostgreSQL 18 Appendix A: Error Codes · PostgreSQL error and notice fields · PostgreSQL database connection control functions

    Sources and technical references

    1. 1

      PostgreSQL 18 Appendix A: Error Codes

      PostgreSQL Global Development Group · 2026 · official_doc

    2. 2

      PostgreSQL error and notice fields

      PostgreSQL Global Development Group · 2026 · official_doc

    3. 3

      PostgreSQL database connection control functions

      PostgreSQL Global Development Group · 2026 · official_doc

    Sources: PostgreSQL 18 Appendix A: Error Codes · PostgreSQL error and notice fields · PostgreSQL database connection control functionsreviewed 2026-08-23 · verified

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