How to fix Triggered action exception in PostgreSQL

Capture the complete error output from your database client, including the trigger name and line number:

-- Error will show something like:
-- ERROR: [trigger_name]: [error message]
-- CONTEXT: PL/pgSQL function trigger_name() line N at ...

The trigger name and line number point directly to the issue. Save this information for the next steps.

Find all triggers on the affected table:

-- List all triggers on a specific table
SELECT trigger_name, event_manipulation, action_statement
FROM information_schema.triggers
WHERE event_object_table = 'your_table_name';

-- Or view trigger details in psql
\dS your_table_name

Cross-reference the trigger name from the error message to identify which trigger is raising the exception.

View the trigger function definition to understand its logic:

-- View the function source
SELECT pg_get_functiondef('trigger_function_name'::regprocedure);

-- Or use psql
\df+ trigger_function_name

Look for RAISE EXCEPTION statements, constraint checks, and conditional logic that might reject your operation. Pay attention to any IF conditions that trigger the exception.

Compare your data against the trigger's validation logic. Common trigger checks include:

-- Example: trigger validates salary > 0
IF NEW.salary <= 0 THEN
  RAISE EXCEPTION 'Salary must be positive';
END IF;

-- Check your data
SELECT column_name, value
FROM your_table
WHERE value <= 0;  -- Replace with actual condition

Ensure your INSERT/UPDATE values satisfy all trigger-defined constraints.

Temporarily disable the trigger to isolate the issue (do NOT do this in production without approval):

-- Disable the trigger temporarily
ALTER TABLE your_table DISABLE TRIGGER trigger_name;

-- Try your operation
INSERT INTO your_table (...) VALUES (...);

-- Re-enable the trigger
ALTER TABLE your_table ENABLE TRIGGER trigger_name;

If the operation succeeds with the trigger disabled, the trigger is definitely the source of the error. This helps confirm whether the issue is in the trigger logic or elsewhere in your data or application.

Based on your findings, take one of these actions:

Option A: Fix your data to match trigger requirements

UPDATE your_table
SET problematic_column = valid_value
WHERE condition;

Option B: Request trigger modification from DBA
If the trigger logic is too restrictive or incorrectly implemented, work with your database administrator to modify the trigger function. Document exactly which constraint is blocking your legitimate operation.

Option C: Update application logic
If the trigger is correct, adjust your application to provide the data the trigger expects.