article Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows: How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL in Official Support Articles

Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows: How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL

Sebastian_Linser — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:39:27 GMT

This document is a general guide and is provided as is. Modifications to the process may be necessary depending on your individual database setup.

If you have installed a standalone PostgreSQL database, or if you have used the Qlik PostgreSQL Installer (QPI) to upgrade and decouple your previously bundled database, then you can upgrade PostgreSQL at any time. This means you control maintenance and can immediately react to potential PostgreSQL security concerns by upgrading to a later service release or a later major version.

Content

Requirements:

Only upgrade to a supported version of PostgreSQL. See the Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows System Requirements for details.
This guide covers deployments where PostgreSQL has been installed separately or previously unbundled using the Qlik PostgreSQL installer.

This document covers the following scenario:

Windows Server OS. The use of Linux, in managed cloud deployments or on-prem, is not covered.
Generic PostgreSQL deployment. Stream replication, SSL, or any other advanced configuration are not covered.

Preparation

Run a complete backup of Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows site as described in Backup and restore Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows.

Qlik Sense Repository Database (from PostgreSQL database server)
Qlik Sense share folder
Qlik Sense CA-signed certificates

Upgrading to a later service release

These steps apply if you are upgrading within a major PostgreSQL release (example: 14.5 to 14.8).

Download the PostgreSQL installer from them PostgreSQL site
Stop the Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows services. Leave your standalone PostgreSQL database running.
Run the PostgreSQL installer and follow the instructions.
Start the Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows services.

No further steps are required.

Upgrading to a new major PostgreSQL release

If you are moving to a higher major version, an in-place upgrade will not be possible. Instead, we will install the the new version in parallel, then then migrate the old database and eventually uninstall the old version. Our example is written using PostgreSQL 12 to 14.

Download the PostgreSQL installer from them PostgreSQL site
Run the installer

During install:
- Install the database on the standard 5432 port.
  
  This allows us to have 12 running on the Qlik Sense default 4432 port and the 14 instance on 5432.
- Set the same password as the one currently in use with the version 12 PostgreSQL instance.
Open a Windows File explorer and create a backup folder, such as C:\backup
Backup your version 12 database

This step is crucial. You may have already backed up your site, but in this step we will create the specific backup we will use to migrate your database, using a modified command.

To do so:
1. Stop all Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows services on all nodes. Leave postgresql-x64-12 service (your current repository) running
2. Stop postgresql-x64-14 (your newly installed PostgreSQL instance)
3. Open a Windows Command Line (CMD) as administrator
4. Run:
  SET PGPASSWORD=postgrespassword (replace this with the actual password)
5. Run:
  cd “C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\12\bin”
6. Run
  pg_dumpall.exe -h localhost -U postgres -p 4432 -f c:\backup\backup_db.sql
7. Follow the onscreen instructions and wait until the backup is finished
  
  Note: If you are prompted to input the password (even if it was previously entered correctly), you will need to modify pg_hba.conf.
  
  Location: C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\12\data\pg_hba.conf
  
  Change md5 to trust and restart the postgresql-x64-12 service. See Changing the Database Superuser Password without Qlik Sense Installed for details.
  
  Once the backup has completed, revert back to md5.
Migrate from 12 to 14

We are now moving our Qlik Sense repository from the earlier release of PostgreSQL into the new one.
1. Start the postgresql-x64-14 service
2. Stop postgresql-x64-12
3. Open a Windows Command Line (CMD) as administrator
4. Run:
  cd “C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\14\bin”
5. Run
  psql -h localhost -U postgres -p 5432 -f c:\backup\backup_db.sql
6. Follow the onscreen instructions.
  
  Note: If you receive the error password authentication failed for user "postgres", (even if it is correct), you will need to modify pg_hba.conf.
  
  Location: C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\14\data\pg_hba.conf
  
  Change scram-sha-256 to md5 and restart the postgresql-x64-14 service and redo step e). See Changing the Database Superuser Password without Qlik Sense Installed for details.
With the import finished, copy the following two files from your old 12 data folder into your new 14 data folder:
- pg_hba.conf
- postgresql.conf
Open postgresql.conf and verify that the port is set to 4432 (the standard Qlik Sense port)
(If not done already) stop the postgres-x64-12 service
Restart the postgres-x64-14 service
Start all Qlik Sense services
Once you have confirmed all functionality and tested, uninstall PostgreSQL 12. This can be done directly from the Windows Control Panel and Programs and Features

Re: Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows: How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL

Sivapriya_d — Sun, 11 Jul 2021 12:01:21 GMT

Hi @Sebastian_Linser ,

This is helpful. I am checking on Pg_Upgrade, Instead of taking dumps and restoring it. Is there any known impact for Qlik Sense if we use this method?

Thanks,
Siva

Re: Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows: How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL

Sonja_Bauernfeind — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 06:49:27 GMT

Hello @Sivapriya_d

Using the method described above is the only verified method by Qlik Support.

Re: Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows: How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL

Sivapriya_d — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 03:17:58 GMT

Hi @Sonja_Bauernfeind ,

I tried migrating our postgre SQL DB Server from 9.6 to 11.12 using Pg_dump and Pg_Restore method suggested above. Post migration when i checked the Individual DB size (QSR,License,etc) its bit smaller from the size in OLD version.

Have you faced this kind of scenario?

Thanks,

Siva

Re: Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows: How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL

Sonja_Bauernfeind — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 10:02:53 GMT

Hello @Sivapriya_d !

This is caused by the backup not including temporary/cache information.

-Sonja

Re: Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows: How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL

Sivapriya_d — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 04:03:34 GMT

Thanks @Sonja_Bauernfeind . This is the first time we are doing Postgre SQL upgrade in our platform. I was anxious due to the small DB size and thinking of its impact on Qlik Sense.

Is possible to share your experience with the upgrade ? the things which we can expect like the above DB size.

This would help people who do new upgrades like us.

Lastly Can you please share the roll back steps to be performed in both Postgre SQL and Qlik Sense end jus in case.

Thanks for all your inputs and guidance till now

Thansk,

Siva

Re: Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows: How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL

Sonja_Bauernfeind — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 11:52:40 GMT

Hello @Sivapriya_d

Next to the difference in sizes, we cannot share any additional information.

As for the rollback: Do you mean a rollback from the Postgre SQL upgrade or a Qlik Sense upgrade?

In short, what you would need is a backup of your previous QSR on the 9.6 database (which you have taken already for the upgrade step) and restore it to your Qlik Sense System as described in: Backup and Restore Qlik Sense .

Also please note that the instructions in this article are for if you have a stand-alone Postgre SQL. Not the bundled one. If you are looking for instructions for the bundled one, see Qlik Sense May 2021 - Upgrade bundled PostgreSQL to 12.5 version .

Re: Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows: How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL

Sivapriya_d — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 02:16:00 GMT

Thanks @Sonja_Bauernfeind . I am upgrading Standalone postgre SQL .

Thanks,

Siva

Re: Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows: How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL

pablodelcerro — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 15:15:42 GMT

Hi There,

We have a QS cluster with a standalone Postgresql and will like to get it back to the bundle version so that we dont have to worry about Postgresql updates.

Will a clean new install and a restore DB procedure work or we need to worry about anything else?

What about rim nodes? Need to do anything there?

Thanks!

Pablo

Re: Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows: How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL

Sonja_Bauernfeind — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 07:26:37 GMT

Hey @pablodelcerro See our reply here for an answer 🙂

Re: Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows: How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL

Gestion-PSD — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 15:12:42 GMT

Hi all!

We've a doubt about Postgres/Qlik upgrade order on a standalone PG install.

Is it possible and recommended to upgrade Qlik Sense (from Sep'19 to Feb'22) keeping Postgres 9.6 and later, in another intervention, to upgrade Postgres from 9.6 to 12.x?

We know upgrading our 5 QS nodes takes lots of time and we have a small work window, so we cannot take both upgrades in same wor windows.

In resume, are there any known (or spected) issue if we upgrade Postgres 9.6 to 12.x on an active (but obviously stopped) Qlik Sense installation?

Best regards,

Alonso Torres.

Re: Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows: How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL

Sonja_Bauernfeind — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 12:59:08 GMT

Hello @Gestion-PSD

Is it possible and recommended to upgrade Qlik Sense (from Sep'19 to Feb'22) keeping Postgres 9.6 and later, in another intervention, to upgrade Postgres from 9.6 to 12.x?

This is possible. Qlik Sense February 22 supports 9.6 (see System Requirments), which means you can upgrade from Sep 19 to Feb 22 and keep your Postgre instance at 9.6 for the time being.

In resume, are there any known (or spected) issue if we upgrade Postgres 9.6 to 12.x on an active (but obviously stopped) Qlik Sense installation?

None that we are aware of if the instructions are followed.

All the best,
Sonja

Re: Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows: How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL

Sebastian_Linser — Mon, 16 May 2022 13:47:21 GMT

@Gestion-PSD you can always keep 9.6 even with May2022. The new installation will only get 12.5 a upgrade keep the same DB version. This article here explains the move to a standalone instance. The Qlik Setup never touch a standalone instance for inital setup, it would only upgrade the existing databases which were created post setup.

Qlik is working on a conversion of the embedded PostgreSQL instance from 9.6 to 12.5 without a full reinstall, seeing your questions that would fit better your needs.

Re: Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows: How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL

adamb14 — Sun, 19 Nov 2023 22:18:01 GMT

FYI if your going from Standalone 9.6 to Standalone 14.10 copying the 'postgresql.conf ' from 9.6 over to 14.10 (Step 6.) will cause 14.10 Service not to start with the following error.

'GMT [7316] FATAL: configuration file "C:/Program Files/PostgreSQL/14/data/postgresql.conf" contains errors'

We ended up having to simply use the 14.10 postgresql.conf file and make appropriate changes for Port and Max Connections, everything else was default in 9.6.

Apart from that the Instructions worked perfectly.

Re: Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows: How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL

MrWendal — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 23:56:49 GMT

Hello Everyone,

First, thanks for the guide! Was very helpful in upgrading unbundled Postgres instances.

I did run into one issue however, when installing Postgres 14.x I kept running into an error at the end of the install when it tried to run the post install steps. The service would not be created and I got an error that said "failed to load sql modules in database cluster".

Turns out the issue was the superuser password had a special character in it that would cause the install to fail. Also I read setting the

To resolve this I used a different superuser password during the install, then afterwards I logged into pgAdmin4 and changed the superuser password to the inital one. That way I woudnt have to go through changing all the microservices to a new password, which can be a lot of work on a multinode enviornment.

Hope this helps anyone running into simular issues!

Best Regards,

Wendell Truax

Re: Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows: How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL

fabdulazeez — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 08:12:02 GMT

Hi @Sonja_Bauernfeind ,

We previously upgraded to version 12 using QPI and are now planning to upgrade to version 14 as outlined in the article. We currently have the February 2024 version of Qlik Sense. The article mentions steps for uninstalling the 12 binaries and re-install the binaries for 14 without installing a database. Should we follow these steps, or will the process be handled within the standalone upgrade procedure mentioned above?

Re: Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows: How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL

Sonja_Bauernfeind — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 09:05:34 GMT

Hello @fabdulazeez

Let me get clarity for you on this.

All the best,
Sonja

Re: Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows: How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL

Sonja_Bauernfeind — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 10:58:39 GMT

Hello @fabdulazeez

Only the steps in this article are relevant for your use case.

All the best,
Sonja

Re: Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows: How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL

fabdulazeez — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 11:06:35 GMT

Thanks @Sonja_Bauernfeind .

I only have "C:\Program Files\Qlik\Sense\Repository\PostgreSQL\12.5" on our server with the February 2024 version, and there is no 14.8 folder. I just wanted to confirm. Thanks for the clarification.

Re: Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows: How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL

fabdulazeez — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 06:35:17 GMT

After following the above steps, we encountered the error below while attempting to uninstall PostgreSQL 12 from Programs and Features.

When we clicked "Yes," it was removed from the list, but the service still remains. Please advise on how to proceed with the uninstallation.

article Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows: How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL in Official Support Articles

Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows: How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL

Requirements:

Preparation

Upgrading to a later service release

Upgrading to a new major PostgreSQL release

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