How to fix Invalid value for parameter in PostgreSQL

PostgreSQLINTERMEDIATEMEDIUM

PostgreSQL rejects configuration parameters with unrecognized or unsupported values during startup or connection. This typically affects locale, timezone, or text search settings.

What this error means

PostgreSQL validates all configuration parameters against allowed values when loading settings from postgresql.conf or connection startup packets. When a parameter receives a value PostgreSQL cannot recognize or support in your environment, the server raises this fatal error and refuses to start or complete the connection. Common affected parameters include locale settings (lc_messages, lc_monetary), timezones, and text search configurations. The error prevents database access until the invalid parameter is corrected.

How to fix "Invalid value for parameter"

1Check PostgreSQL error log for the specific invalid parameter

Review the PostgreSQL error message carefully to identify which parameter is invalid.

bash

# Check server log (Docker)
docker logs <container_name>

# Check server log (standard)
tail -f /var/log/postgresql/postgresql.log

Note the parameter name (e.g., lc_messages, TimeZone) and the rejected value.

2Validate locale settings if locale parameters are invalid

If the error involves lc_messages, lc_monetary, lc_numeric, or lc_time:

bash

# List all available locales on your system
locale -a

# Check if en_US.UTF-8 is available (common fix)
locale -a | grep en_US

# On Ubuntu/Debian, install missing locales
sudo locale-gen en_US.UTF-8
sudo update-locale

If the required locale is not available, either install it on your system or change the parameter value to "C" (always available).

3Fix locale parameters in postgresql.conf

Edit postgresql.conf and use only valid locale values:

bash

# Find postgresql.conf
sudo find / -name postgresql.conf

# Edit the file
sudo nano /path/to/postgresql.conf

Replace invalid locale values with valid ones:

conf

# WRONG: non-existent locale
lc_messages = en_US.utf8

# RIGHT: use C (always available) or installed locale
lc_messages = C
# OR
lc_messages = en_US.UTF-8  # if installed

# Apply to all locale parameters
lc_monetary = C
lc_numeric = C
lc_time = C

Save and restart PostgreSQL.

4Validate timezone if TimeZone parameter is invalid

For timezone errors, use only IANA timezone names (not abbreviations):

bash

# WRONG: abbreviation not valid
TimeZone = PST      # Fails
TimeZone = CDT      # Fails

# RIGHT: use IANA timezone database
TimeZone = America/Los_Angeles
TimeZone = America/Chicago
TimeZone = UTC

Valid timezone values are located in your PostgreSQL timezone database:

bash

# View all valid timezones
psql -d postgres -c "SELECT * FROM pg_timezone_names ORDER BY name;"

Use one of these exact values in postgresql.conf or connection strings.

5Check text search configuration if referenced

If the error mentions default_text_search_config:

bash

psql -d postgres -c "SELECT * FROM pg_ts_config;"

Ensure the configured value exists. If referencing a schema, verify both schema and configuration exist:

conf

# WRONG: references non-existent schema.config
default_text_search_config = public.pg_config

# RIGHT: use built-in or verify custom config exists
default_text_search_config = english
default_text_search_config = simple

Built-in configurations like "english" and "simple" are always available.

6Restart PostgreSQL after fixing parameters

After editing postgresql.conf, restart the PostgreSQL service:

bash

# Docker
docker restart <container_name>

# Standard Linux service
sudo systemctl restart postgresql

# Or via sudo
sudo pg_ctlcluster 14 main restart

Verify the service started successfully:

bash

sudo systemctl status postgresql

Check logs for any remaining parameter errors.

How to fix Invalid value for parameter in PostgreSQL

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How to fix "Invalid value for parameter"

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