fe_sendauth: no password supplied

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03-04-2025

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The error "fe_sendauth: no password supplied" in PostgreSQL signifies a connection problem where the client application (e.g., your database application, scripting environment, or command-line tool like psql) isn't providing the necessary password to the PostgreSQL server during authentication. This is a common issue with several potential causes. Let's break down how to diagnose and fix this, drawing on insights from Stack Overflow.

Understanding the Error

The error message itself is quite clear: the PostgreSQL server is requesting a password, but it's receiving none. This isn't necessarily a problem with your PostgreSQL server configuration, but more often a problem with how your application is attempting to connect.

Common Causes and Solutions

1. Incorrect Connection String/Parameters:

• Problem: The most frequent reason is an incorrect or incomplete connection string. This string tells the client application how to connect to the database, including the username, password, database name, and host. If the password field is missing or incorrect, this error will result.

• Solution: Carefully review your connection string. Depending on your environment, this might be in a configuration file, environment variable, or directly within your code. Ensure the password parameter is explicitly specified and correct.

• Example (Python with psycopg2):

import psycopg2

conn = psycopg2.connect(
    host="your_db_host",
    database="your_dbname",
    user="your_username",
    password="your_password" # <--- Ensure this is correct!
)

2. Environment Variable Issues (.pgpass file):

• Problem: You might be relying on environment variables or a .pgpass file to store your password. If these aren't set correctly, or the permissions are incorrect, the connection will fail. (Note: Using .pgpass should be done carefully and with awareness of security implications).

• Solution:

  • Verify .pgpass: Check the permissions on your .pgpass file (chmod 0600 ~/.pgpass). Ensure the syntax is correct: hostname:port:database:username:password.

  • Environment Variables: Double-check that the environment variables (PGPASSWORD, etc.) are set appropriately and accessible to your application. If using Docker, make sure you're properly passing these variables into your container.

  • Example (Setting PGPASSWORD): (Use with caution!)

    export PGPASSWORD="your_password"
    psql "dbname=your_dbname user=your_username"
    

(Note from Stack Overflow community member: Using environment variables for passwords is generally discouraged due to security risks. It is recommended to use proper credential management systems.)

3. Password Authentication Disabled:

• Problem: In some cases, password authentication might be disabled on your PostgreSQL server for security reasons (often replaced with methods like md5 or scram-sha-256).

• Solution: Check your pg_hba.conf file (usually located in the PostgreSQL data directory). This file controls authentication methods. If password authentication is disabled, you'll need to either re-enable it (not recommended for production environments) or configure a different authentication method. Consult the PostgreSQL documentation for instructions on configuring pg_hba.conf.

4. Client Library Errors:

• Problem: Errors in the database client library you're using (e.g., psycopg2 for Python, pg for Node.js) can prevent the password from being passed correctly.

• Solution: Check your client library's documentation and ensure you're using it correctly. Look for error messages from the library itself (often more informative than the generic fe_sendauth message).

5. Firewall Issues:

• Problem: A firewall on your client machine or the server might be blocking the connection.

• Solution: Check your firewall settings to ensure that PostgreSQL's port (default 5432) is open for incoming connections.

Best Practices

• Never hardcode passwords directly in your code. Use environment variables, configuration files, or dedicated secret management tools.
• Use strong and unique passwords.
• Regularly review and update your pg_hba.conf file to improve security.
• Prioritize secure authentication methods.

By systematically checking these points, you should be able to pinpoint the cause of the "fe_sendauth: no password supplied" error and restore your PostgreSQL connection. Remember to always prioritize security when managing database credentials. This article synthesized information and examples found across several Stack Overflow discussions; a comprehensive search for similar issues on Stack Overflow is always a valuable troubleshooting step.