PostgreSQL cancels a session and returns SQLSTATE 25P03 when an open transaction stays idle longer than idle_in_transaction_session_timeout.
PostgreSQL Error 25P03 idle_in_transaction_session_timeout happens when a client keeps a transaction open without activity longer than the idle_in_transaction_session_timeout setting. Commit or roll back quickly, close the connection, or raise the limit with SET idle_in_transaction_session_timeout = '5min' to resolve the issue.
PostgreSQL Error 25P03
PostgreSQL raises SQLSTATE 25P03 idle_in_transaction_session_timeout when it cancels a session that has remained inside an open transaction without activity for longer than the idle_in_transaction_session_timeout setting.
The server terminates the transaction and releases locks with the message "canceling statement due to idle-in-transaction timeout" to prevent stalled sessions from blocking other queries.
Uncommitted transactions left open after BEGIN consume locks and remain idle until the timeout fires.
Connection pools or ORMs that start transactions automatically but defer COMMIT when the client disconnects often trigger the timeout.
Interactive sessions in psql or SQL editors that forget to COMMIT or ROLLBACK after inspecting data can also exceed the timeout.
End the transaction promptly by issuing COMMIT or ROLLBACK before the timeout window elapses.
Increase the limit temporarily with SET idle_in_transaction_session_timeout = '10min' if your workflow genuinely needs a longer idle period.
Adjust application logic so every code path closes the transaction or use an explicit connection pool setting that auto commits on close.
Analytical dashboards holding a cursor inside a transaction should switch to AUTOCOMMIT mode or commit after each page fetch.
Batch jobs that open a transaction, loop over work, then sleep must commit between batches or move the sleep outside the transaction block.
Developers using Galaxy or psql should enable the editor's autocommit or visually inspect transaction status to avoid idle locks.
Set idle_in_transaction_session_timeout to a sane default such as 5m in postgresql.conf to catch issues early.
Enable statement_timeout as a secondary guard so even active but long running statements are canceled.
Monitor pg_stat_activity for sessions in state = 'idle in transaction' and alert when count exceeds a threshold.
statement_timeout (SQLSTATE 57014) cancels queries that actively run too long rather than idle.
lock_not_available (SQLSTATE 55P03) occurs when competing transactions block each other but can be mitigated by shorter idle times.
deadlock_detected (SQLSTATE 40P01) signals a circular lock dependency and is resolved by reviewing conflicting transactions.
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Yes. A value of 0 turns the timeout off, allowing transactions to stay idle indefinitely. Use this cautiously because it can hide application bugs.
The countdown starts when a transaction becomes idle and resets when the session sends another command or ends the transaction.
Yes. Use ALTER SYSTEM or edit postgresql.conf and run SELECT pg_reload_conf() to apply the change without a full restart.
Galaxy's editor shows transaction state, supports autocommit, and lets teams share vetted patterns that automatically close transactions, reducing the risk of idle sessions.
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