Replit
database
PostgreSQL Connection Refused on Replit
Your application fails to connect to PostgreSQL with a connection refused error. The database service is either not running or your connection string is incorrect.
Replit's PostgreSQL requires the correct credentials, port, and hostname which vary between development and production.
Error Messages You Might See
org.postgresql.util.PSQLException: Connection refused (Connection refused)
FATAL: password authentication failed for user
FATAL: database does not exist
Common Causes
- PostgreSQL service not started in Replit
- Wrong hostname (localhost vs network hostname)
- Incorrect port number in connection string
- Missing or wrong database credentials
- Database doesn't exist yet (migration not run)
How to Fix It
Verify PostgreSQL is running via Replit's database panel. Use the auto-generated connection string from Replit secrets. For Spring Boot, ensure spring.datasource.url, username, and password are correctly set. Run database migrations on first deploy using Flyway or Liquibase.
Real developers can help you.
Richard McSorley
Full-Stack Software Engineer with 8+ years building high-performance applications for enterprise clients. Shipped production systems at Walmart (4,000+ stores), Cigna (20M+ users), and Arkansas Blue Cross. 5 patents in retail/supply chain tech. Currently focused on AI integrations, automation tools, and TypeScript-first architectures.
Stanislav Prigodich
15+ years building iOS and web apps at startups and enterprise companies. I want to use that experience to help builders ship real products - when something breaks, I'm here to fix it.
Bastien Labelle
Full stack dev w/ 20+ years of experience
Dor Yaloz
SW engineer with 6+ years of experience,
I worked with React/Node/Python
did projects with React+Capacitor.js for ios
Supabase expert
Caio Rodrigues
I'm a full-stack developer focused on building practical and scalable web applications. My main experience is with **React, TypeScript, and modern frontend architectures**, where I prioritize clean code, component reusability, and maintainable project structures.
I have strong experience working with **dynamic forms, state management (Redux / React Hook Form), and complex data-driven interfaces**. I enjoy solving real-world problems by turning ideas into reliable software that companies can actually use in their daily operations.
Beyond coding, I care about **software quality and architecture**, following best practices for componentization, code organization, and performance optimization.
I'm also comfortable working across the stack when needed, integrating APIs, handling business logic, and helping transform prototypes into production-ready systems.
My goal is always to deliver solutions that are **simple, efficient, and genuinely useful for the people using them.**
Omar Faruk
As a Product Engineer at Klasio, I contributed to end-to-end product development, focusing on scalability, performance, and user experience.
My work spanned building and refining core features, developing dynamic website templates, integrating secure and reliable payment gateways, and optimizing the overall system architecture.
I played a key role in creating a scalable and maintainable platform to support educators and learners globally.
I'm enthusiastic about embracing new challenges and making meaningful contributions.
Simon A.
I'm a backend developer building APIs, emulators, and interactive game systems. Professionally, I've developed Java/Spring reporting solutions, managed relational and NoSQL databases, and implemented CI/CD workflows.
David Olverson
Solo dev shipping production apps with AI-assisted development. I specialize in rescuing broken Lovable/Bolt/Cursor builds and taking them to production. 10+ apps shipped including SaaS CRMs, gaming platforms, real estate tools, and Discord bots. Stack: Next.js 16, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, FastAPI, PostgreSQL, Prisma. I use Claude Code with 50+ custom skills for rapid delivery. Average turnaround: 2-4 weeks from broken prototype to production.
Nam Tran
10 years as fullstack developer
Matthew Butler
Systems Development Engineer @ Amazon Web Services
You don't need to be technical. Just describe what's wrong and a verified developer will handle the rest.
Get HelpFrequently Asked Questions
How do I start PostgreSQL on Replit?
PostgreSQL auto-starts. Click the Database tab to verify it's running
Where's my PostgreSQL connection string?
In Replit Secrets as DATABASE_URL or similar. Copy it to your .env