Synapse does not start anymore - PostgreSQL version 15 is not recognized

[itsaw]

After updating to the latest version, Matrix no longer starts.

Installed on Debian via package manager (packages.matrix.org)
PostgreSQL version 15 single server.

In the log I only find this error:

2025-01-15 08:55:45,625 - root - 352 - WARNING - main - ***** STARTING SERVER *****
2025-01-15 08:55:45,626 - root - 353 - WARNING - main - Server /opt/venvs/matrix-synapse/lib/python3.11/site-packages/synapse/app/homeserver.py version 1.122.0
2025-01-15 08:55:45,626 - root - 358 - WARNING - main - Copyright (c) 2023 New Vector, Inc
2025-01-15 08:55:45,626 - root - 359 - WARNING - main - Licensed under the AGPL 3.0 license. Website: https://github.com/element-hq/synapse
2025-01-15 08:55:45,626 - root - 362 - INFO - main - Server hostname: teufelspack.im
2025-01-15 08:55:45,626 - root - 363 - INFO - main - Public Base URL: https://teufelspack.im/
2025-01-15 08:55:45,626 - root - 364 - INFO - main - Instance name: master
2025-01-15 08:55:45,626 - root - 365 - INFO - main - Twisted reactor: EPollReactor
2025-01-15 08:55:45,626 - synapse.app.homeserver - 370 - INFO - main - Setting up server
2025-01-15 08:55:45,626 - synapse.server - 357 - INFO - main - Setting up.
2025-01-15 08:55:45,631 - synapse.storage.databases - 73 - INFO - main - [database config 'master']: Checking database server
2025-01-15 08:55:45,631 - synapse.app._base - 220 - ERROR - main - Exception during startup
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/opt/venvs/matrix-synapse/lib/python3.11/site-packages/synapse/app/homeserver.py", line 373, in setup
    hs.setup()
  File "/opt/venvs/matrix-synapse/lib/python3.11/site-packages/synapse/server.py", line 359, in setup
    self.datastores = Databases(self.DATASTORE_CLASS, self)
                      ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/opt/venvs/matrix-synapse/lib/python3.11/site-packages/synapse/storage/databases/__init__.py", line 74, in __init__
    engine.check_database(db_conn)
  File "/opt/venvs/matrix-synapse/lib/python3.11/site-packages/synapse/storage/engines/postgres.py", line 103, in check_database
    raise RuntimeError("Synapse requires PostgreSQL 13 or above.")
RuntimeError: Synapse requires PostgreSQL 13 or above.

[elBoberido]

Same issue here. Server stopped working with the latest update although PostgreSQL 14 is installed.

[itsaw]

@elBoberido

I'm just afraid that you feel the same way I do. The versions are installed, but you have not carried out the manual migration to the installed version.

MariaDB is probably a bit ahead of PostgreSQL here.

I just did this and everything is running again:

su - postgres                                    ## Login as PostgreSQL user
pg_lsclusters                                     ## Show all running PostgreSQL Instances
pg_dropcluster --stop 17 main         ## 17 is my newest installed Version
pg_upgradecluster -v 17 11 main     ##  Upgrade and Migrate to my newest Version

Hope this will help you too

[elBoberido]

@itsaw thanks. I just installed the previous version as quick-fix but will try your solution. Thanks

[maxkratz]

I've documented my upgrade process for PostgreSQL v12 to v15 (including the necessary password hash changes) here: #18085 (comment)

Maybe this can also help you.

[Lurkars]

@elBoberido

su - postgres                                    ## Login as PostgreSQL user
pg_lsclusters                                     ## Show all running PostgreSQL Instances
pg_dropcluster --stop 17 main         ## 17 is my newest installed Version
pg_upgradecluster -v 17 11 main     ##  Upgrade and Migrate to my newest Version

Did this with my version 14. Did work, thank you very much. Small reminder: Create Backup before running this, any errors may lead to data loss.

[elBoberido]

@itsaw thanks, worked like a charm. I just had to use sudo -i -u postgres.

@Lurkars thanks very much for the reminder. I was almost like, "These are just 4 commands! What could go wrong! No risk no fun!" and then dropped the wrong cluster. Luckily I had a backup 😅