Error3 Fixes Available

Prisma Error: Can't reach database server at `localhost`

Error: Can't reach database server at `localhost`:`5432` Please make sure your database server is running at `localhost`:`5432`.

What does this error mean?

Prisma is unable to establish a connection to your database. This usually means the database server isn't running, it's running on a different port, or your DATABASE_URL environment variable is incorrect.

Common Causes

The database server (PostgreSQL/MySQL) is not running
The DATABASE_URL in your .env file has the wrong port or host
Firewall or network security groups are blocking the connection
Docker container for the database is not started

How to Fix It (3 Solutions)

Verify your .env connection string

Ensure your DATABASE_URL matches your database settings exactly.

Code

// .env
DATABASE_URL="postgresql://user:password@localhost:5432/mydb?schema=public"

Check if the database is running

Run a command to see if the service is active.

Code

# For PostgreSQL on Mac/Linux
sudo service postgresql status
# Or if using Docker
docker ps

Restart Prisma generation

Sometimes the client just needs a fresh sync with the schema.

Code

npx prisma generate
npx prisma db pull

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