io_error (SQLSTATE 58030) means PostgreSQL hit a low-level disk or file-system failure while trying to read or write database files.
PostgreSQL io_error (SQLSTATE 58030) signals an operating-system I/O failure such as disk corruption, permission changes, or a full device. Check server logs, verify file system health with fsck, ensure sufficient disk space, and restart PostgreSQL after resolving the underlying storage issue to fix the error.
PostgreSQL io_error 58030
PostgreSQL raises io_error when the operating system reports a read or write failure on a file that PostgreSQL needs. The error code 58030 is categorized as an I/O class exception, indicating a storage layer problem rather than a SQL mistake.
The error can appear while starting the server, writing WAL records, executing checkpoints, or reading data blocks.
Ignoring it risks data loss and extended downtime, so immediate investigation is critical.
Most cases trace back to hardware faults like dying disks, RAID controller issues, or a file system mounted read-only after a kernel panic.
Permission changes, disk-full conditions, and broken symbolic links can also surface as io_error.
Virtualized and cloud environments may trigger the error during transient storage outages or snapshot operations that freeze I/O.
First, stop PostgreSQL to prevent further corruption. Inspect the PostgreSQL log and dmesg output to locate the failing file or device.
Check disk space with df -h and file system health with fsck or chkdsk.
After repairing the file system, replace faulty hardware, or freeing space, restore any damaged relation files from backup, then restart PostgreSQL and monitor logs for recurrence.
If WAL cannot be written, move the pg_wal directory to a healthy disk and symlink it back.
On a data file read failure, use pg_checksums or pg_verifybackup to assess corruption, then perform PITR from the last good backup.
For cloud block-storage hiccups, detach and reattach the volume or migrate the instance to a stable host, then run PostgreSQL recovery procedures.
Deploy RAID with battery-backed write cache, monitor SMART stats, and set up proactive alerts for disk usage. Schedule regular fsck checks during maintenance windows.
Keep WAL on a separate, redundant volume to isolate write bursts.
Using Galaxy’s desktop SQL editor, teams can version and audit every query, making post-recovery validation faster because trusted queries are stored centrally and can be replayed to check data integrity.
error 58P01 undefined_file appears when a required file is missing, not when I/O fails. PANIC: could not write to log file halts the server but uses a different code.
Both may stem from the same storage issues that trigger io_error.
Addressing underlying disk problems usually resolves these related errors as well.
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Bad sectors, failing SSD cells, or RAID controller faults cause kernel I/O errors that bubble up to PostgreSQL as io_error.
Unclean shutdowns or power loss can leave ext4, XFS, or NTFS in an inconsistent state, forcing the OS to reject further writes.
Linux may remount a compromised volume read-only to protect data, instantly breaking PostgreSQL writes and triggering io_error.
When pg_data or pg_wal fills to 100 percent, PostgreSQL cannot extend relation files, raising io_error instead of the simpler no-space message.
Accidental chmod or chown commands that strip postgres access rights lead to EACCES errors surfaced as io_error.
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No. If you act quickly and have good backups, you can often restore or recover affected blocks without permanent loss.
Avoid ignoring them. Even a single I/O failure suggests hardware instability that can escalate into total data loss.
These commands cannot fix low-level I/O faults. Repair the storage layer first, then run VACUUM or REINDEX to clean up.
Galaxy stores and versions trusted queries, letting teams rerun validation SQL instantly after a restore to confirm data consistency.
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