Troubleshooting Guide for WAL Replication Issues in PostgreSQL

Troubleshooting Guide for WAL Replication Issues in PostgreSQL

To troubleshoot WAL replication issues in PostgreSQL where the primary server generates WAL files but does not push them to the standby server, consider the following steps:

  1. Check Connection Settings: Ensure that the primary and standby servers can communicate over the network. Verify the pg_hba.conf file on the primary for appropriate entries allowing connections from the standby.
  2. Review Configuration Files: Verify the postgresql.conf settings on the primary server, especially wal_level, max_wal_senders, archive_mode, and archive_command. Ensure they are correctly set for replication.
  3. Examine Logs: Check the PostgreSQL logs on both the primary and standby servers for any error messages or warnings related to replication.
  4. Verify Replication Slots: On the primary, check for the existence and status of replication slots using SELECT * FROM pg_replication_slots;. Ensure that the slot for the standby server is active.
  5. Check Network and Firewall: Ensure no network issues or firewalls are blocking the replication traffic between the primary and standby servers.
  6. Review WAL Sender Status: On the primary, use SELECT * FROM pg_stat_replication; to check the status of WAL sender processes.
  7. Disk Space: Check for sufficient disk space on both servers, as space issues can disrupt replication.
  8. Standby Settings: On the standby, ensure that recovery.conf (or standby.signal and postgresql.conf in newer versions) has correct settings for primary_conninfo and restore_command.

If these steps don't resolve the issue, consider more detailed diagnostics, possibly involving network tracing tools or contact support@minervadb.com