PostgreSQL keeps prompting for a password I never gave in PowerShell

Question

I'm trying to set up postgresql to run locally on my windows machine. I've downloaded psql from postgresql.org and installed it. However, whenever I try to run the psql command from the command line it prompts me for a password that I never gave it for a user it seems to have automatically generated based on the user name of my computer.

In Powershell:

PS C:\Users\Theophilus> psql
Password: 
psql: FATAL:  password authentication failed for user "Theophilus"

Nothing I would use as a password works in this case. I've uninstalled and reinstalled postgres from my windows machine to see if maybe there was somewhere to input a password but I found nothing.

Additionally, running psql with the default username of 'postgres' results in the same problem.

PS C:\Users\Theophilus> psql -U postgres
Password for user postgres: 
psql: FATAL:  password authentication failed for user "postgres"

Hopefully someone can help me.

you need to add a user for psql who you can log in with, try using the gui. — Marcin D
– Marcin D, Commented Jun 29, 2015 at 21:22

Panama Jack · Accepted Answer · 2015-06-29 21:23:57Z

6

That's because you're not providing a username in the command so it's using your current username that you're logged in as which doesn't have permission. You should use the postgres account.

 c:\path\to\psql.exe -U postgres

So in your case

PS C:\Users\Theophilus> psql -U postgres

https://wiki.postgresql.org/wiki/First_steps

answered Jun 29, 2015 at 21:23

Panama Jack

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2 Comments

judgegrubb Over a year ago

Running the command the way you suggest results in: Password for user postgres: which is again something I don't know

Craig Ringer Over a year ago

@judgegrubb You set that password during installation. If you've lost/forgotten it, you'll need to reset the password for the postgres user in the database; search for "postgresql password reset windows" to find instructions.

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