How to Solve “pg_dump: error: aborting because of server version mismatch”

The error pg_dump: error: aborting because of server version mismatch occurs when the version of pg_dump used on the client side does not match the version of the PostgreSQL server you are trying to interact with. This version mismatch can cause compatibility issues because pg_dump relies on specific features and syntax that may vary between PostgreSQL versions.

In this guide, we will provide solutions to resolve this issue and ensure smooth data backup or export using pg_dump.

Understanding the Problem

The error indicates a discrepancy between the versions of the PostgreSQL server and the pg_dump tool.

For example, if you are using pg_dump from PostgreSQL 16.4 to interact with a PostgreSQL 17 server, the mismatch may lead to incompatibility errors, as shown in the following screenshot.

This problem commonly arises when:

1. Multiple PostgreSQL versions are installed on the client or server.
2. The client is using an outdated version of pg_dump.
3. The PostgreSQL server is upgraded, but the tools on the client side are not updated.

Solutions

The following methods can be used to resolve the version mismatch error:

1. Use the Correct Version of pg_dump

The recommended solution is to use the version of pg_dump that matches the version of the PostgreSQL server. You can locate and use the correct pg_dump binary installed on the same system as the PostgreSQL server. To do this:

1. Log in to the PostgreSQL server machine. 2. Navigate to the PostgreSQL binaries directory, typically found in locations such as /usr/pgsql-VERSION/bin/ (Linux) or C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\VERSION\bin (Windows). 3. Run pg_dump from this directory:

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/usr/pgsql-14/bin/pg_dump -U postgres -h localhost -d mydatabase -f backup.sql

Replace 14 with the version of your PostgreSQL server and ensure the command reflects your environment.

2. Update pg_dump on the Client

If you cannot access the server or prefer to run pg_dump from the client, update your PostgreSQL tools to match the server version. Download the correct version from the official PostgreSQL website and install it on your client machine.

After installation, ensure the updated pg_dump is used by specifying its full path or updating your system’s PATH environment variable to prioritize the correct version:

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export PATH=/usr/pgsql-14/bin:$PATH

Verify the version of pg_dump before running the command:

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pg_dump --version

3. Use the pg_dump Option from Remote Server

If accessing the server directly is an option, you can use pg_dump installed on the server to perform the export remotely. SSH into the server and run pg_dump locally on the server, ensuring the correct version is used:

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ssh user@server
pg_dump -U postgres -d mydatabase -f backup.sql

4. Use Docker for Version Management

If you frequently work with multiple PostgreSQL versions, consider using Docker to run specific versions of PostgreSQL tools:

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docker run --rm -v $(pwd):/backup postgres:14 pg_dump -U postgres -d mydatabase > backup.sql

This ensures the correct version of pg_dump is used without affecting your local environment.

5. Force Compatibility Mode (Not Recommended)

While not ideal, you can attempt to use pg_dump with backward compatibility. Add a version-specific option to the command:

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pg_dump --incompatible-options -U postgres -d mydatabase -f backup.sql

However, this method might still fail or result in incomplete backups, so it should only be used as a last resort.

Conclusion

The “pg_dump: error: aborting because of server version mismatch” error can be resolved by ensuring the pg_dump version matches the PostgreSQL server version. Using the correct version of tools, updating the client software, or running commands directly on the server can help eliminate this issue. Always verify tool versions and use the recommended version for reliable backups and exports.