article Upgrading and unbundling the Qlik Sense Repository Database using the Qlik PostgreSQL Installer in Official Support Articles

Upgrading and unbundling the Qlik Sense Repository Database using the Qlik PostgreSQL Installer

Mario_Petre — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 07:31:30 GMT

In this article, we walk you through the requirements and process of how to upgrade and unbundle an existing Qlik Sense Repository Database (see supported scenarios) as well as how to install a brand new Repository based on PostgreSQL. We will use the Qlik PostgreSQL Installer (QPI).

For a manual method, see How to manually upgrade the bundled Qlik Sense PostgreSQL version to 12.5 version.

Using the Qlik Postgres Installer not only upgrades PostgreSQL; it also unbundles PostgreSQL from your Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows install. This allows for direct control of your PostgreSQL instance and facilitates maintenance without a dependency on Qlik Sense. Further Database upgrades can then be performed independently and in accordance with your corporate security policy when needed, as long as you remain within the supported PostgreSQL versions. See How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL.

Index

Video Walkthrough

Video chapters:

01:02 - Intro to PostgreSQL Repository
02:51 – Prerequisites
03:24 - What is the QPI tool?
05:09 - Using the QPI tool
09:27 - Removing the old Database Service
11:27 - Upgrading a stand-alone to the latest release
13:39 - How to roll-back to the previous version
14:46 - Troubleshooting upgrading a patched version
18:25 - Troubleshooting upgrade security error
21:15 - Additional config file settings

Supported Scenarios

Upgrades

The following versions have been tested and verified to work with QPI:

Qlik Sense February 2022 to Qlik Sense November 2024.

If you are on a Qlik Sense version prior to these, upgrade to at least February 2022 before you begin.

Qlik Sense November 2022 and later do not support 9.6, and a warning will be displayed during the upgrade. From Qlik Sense August 2023 a upgrade with a 9.6 database is blocked.

New installs

The Qlik PostgreSQL Installer supports installing a new standalone PostgreSQL database with the configurations required for connecting to a Qlik Sense server. This allows setting up a new environment or migrating an existing database to a separate host.

Requirements

Review the QPI Release Notes before you continue
Using the Qlik PostgreSQL Installer on a patched Qlik Sense version can lead to unexpected results. If you have a patch installed, either:
- Uninstall all patches before using QPI (see Installing and Uninstalling Qlik Sense Patches) or
- Upgrade to an IR release of Qlik Sense which supports QPI
The PostgreSQL Installer can only upgrade bundled PostgreSQL database listening on the default port 4432.
The user who runs the installer must be an administrator.
The backup destination must have sufficient free disk space to dump the existing database 
The backup destination must not be a network path or virtual storage folder. It is recommended the backup is stored on the main drive.
There will be downtime during this operation, please plan accordingly
If upgrading to PostgreSQL 14 and later, the Windows OS must be at least Server 2016

Known limitations

(Limitation removed in QPI 2.1 | Release Notes) Cannot migrate a 14.17 embedded database to a standalone
(Limitation removed in QPI 2.1 | Release Notes) Using QPI to upgrade a standalone database or a database previously unbundled with QPI is not supported.
The installer itself does not provide an automatic rollback feature.

Installing a new Qlik Sense Repository Database using PostgreSQL

Run the Qlik PostgreSQL Installer as an administrator
Click on Install
Accept the Qlik Customer Agreement
Set your Local database settings and click Next. You will use these details to connect other nodes to the same cluster.
Set your Database superuser password and click Next
Set the database installation folder, default: C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\14
Do not use the standard Qlik Sense folders, such as C:\Program Files\Qlik\Sense\Repository\PostgreSQL\ and C:\Programdata\Qlik\Sense\Repository\PostgreSQL\.
Set the database data folder, default: C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\14\data
Do not use the standard Qlik Sense folders, such as C:\Program Files\Qlik\Sense\Repository\PostgreSQL\ and C:\Programdata\Qlik\Sense\Repository\PostgreSQL\.
Review your settings and click Install, then click Finish
Start installing Qlik Sense Enterprise Client Managed. Choose Join Cluster option.

The Qlik PostgreSQL Installer has already seeded the databases for you and has created the users and permissions. No further configuration is needed.
The tool will display information on the actions being performed. Once installation is finished, you can close the installer. 

If you are migrating your existing databases to a new host, please remember to reconfigure your nodes to connect to the correct host. How to configure Qlik Sense to use a dedicated PostgreSQL database

Qlik PostgreSQL Installer - Download Link

Download the installer here.

Qlik PostgreSQL installer Release Notes

Upgrading an existing Qlik Sense Repository Database

The following versions have been tested and verified to work with QPI (1.4.0):

February 2022 to November 2023.

If you are on any version prior to these, upgrade to at least February 2022 before you begin.

Qlik Sense November 2022 and later do not support 9.6, and a warning will be displayed during the upgrade. From Qlik Sense August 2023 a 9.6 update is blocked.

The Upgrade

Stop all services on rim nodes
On your Central Node, stop all services except the Qlik Sense Repository Database
Run the Qlik PostgreSQL Installer. An existing Database will be detected.
Highlight the database and click Upgrade
Read and confirm the (a) Installer Instructions as well as the Qlik Customer Agreement, then click (b) Next.
Provide your existing Database superuser password and click Next.
Define your Database backup path and click Next.
Define your Install Location (default is prefilled) and click Next.
Define your database data path (default is prefilled) and click Next.
Review all properties and click Upgrade.

The review screen lists the settings which will be migrated. No manual changes are required post-upgrade.
The upgrade is completed. Click Close.
Open the Windows Services Console and locate the Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows services.

You will find that the Qlik Sense Repository Database service has been set to manual. Do not change the startup method.

You will also find a new postgresql-x64-14 service. Do not rename this service.
Start all services except the Qlik Sense Repository Database service.
Start all services on your rim nodes.
Validate that all services and nodes are operating as expected. The original database folder in C:\ProgramData\Qlik\Sense\Repository\PostgreSQL\X.X_deprecated
Uninstall the old Qlik Sense Repository Database service.

This step is required. Failing to remove the old service will lead the upgrade or patching issues.
1. Open a Windows File Explorer and browse to C:\ProgramData\Package Cache
2. From there, search for the appropriate msi file.
  
  If you were running 9.6 before the upgrade, search PostgreSQL.msi
  If you were running 12.5 before the upgrade, search PostgreSQL125.msi
3. The msi will be revealed.
4. Right-click the msi file and select uninstall from the menu.
Re-install the PostgreSQL binaries. This step is optional if Qlik Sense is immediately upgraded following the use of QPI. The Sense upgrade will install the correct binaries automatically.

Failing to reinstall the binaries will lead to errors when executing any number of service configuration scripts.
If you do not immediately upgrade:
1. Open a Windows File Explorer and browse to C:\ProgramData\Package Cache
2. From there, search for the .msi file appropriate for your currently installed Qlik Sense version
  
  For Qlik Sense August 2023 and later: PostgreSQL14.msi
  Qlik Sense February 2022 to May 2023: PostgreSQL125.msi
3. Right-click the file
4. Click Open file location
5. Highlight the file path, right-click on the path, and click Copy
6. Open a Windows Command prompt as administrator
7. Navigate to the location of the folder you copied
  
  Example command line:
  
  cd C:\ProgramData\Package Cache\{GUID}
  
  Where GUID is the value of the folder name.
8. Run the following command depending on the version you have installed:
  
  Qlik Sense August 2023 and later
  
  msiexec.exe /qb /i "PostgreSQL14.msi" SKIPINSTALLDBSERVICE="1" INSTALLDIR="C:\Program Files\Qlik\Sense"
  
  Qlik Sense February 2022 to May 2023
  
  msiexec.exe /qb /i "PostgreSQL125.msi" SKIPINSTALLDBSERVICE="1" INSTALLDIR="C:\Program Files\Qlik\Sense"
  
  This will re-install the binaries without installing a database. If you installed with a custom directory adjust the INSTALLDIR parameter accordingly. E.g. you installed in D:\Qlik\Sense then the parameter would be INSTALLDIR="D:\Qlik\Sense".
Finalize the process by updating the references to the PostgreSQL binaries paths in the SetupDatabase.ps1 and Configure-Service.ps1 files. For detailed steps, see Cannot change the qliksenserepository password for microservices of the service dispatcher: The system cannot find the file specified.

If the upgrade was unsuccessful and you are missing data in the Qlik Management Console or elsewhere, contact Qlik Support.

Next Steps and Compatibility with PostgreSQL installers

Now that your PostgreSQL instance is no longer connected to the Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows services, all future updates of PostgreSQL are performed independently of Qlik Sense. This allows you to act in accordance with your corporate security policy when needed, as long as you remain within the supported PostgreSQL versions.

Your PostgreSQL database is fully compatible with the official PostgreSQL installers from https://www.enterprisedb.com/downloads/postgres-postgresql-downloads.

How do I upgrade PostgreSQL from here on?

See How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL, which documents the upgrade procedure for either a minor version upgrade (example: 14.5 to 14.8) or a major version upgrade (example: 12 to 14). Further information on PostgreSQL upgrades or updates can be obtained from Postgre directly.

Troubleshooting and FAQ

If the installation crashes, the server reboots unexpectedly during this process, or there is a power outage, the new database may not be in a serviceable state. Installation/upgrade logs are available in the location of your temporary files, for example:

C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Temp\2

A backup of the original database contents is available in your chosen location, or by default in:

C:\ProgramData\Qlik\Sense\Repository\PostgreSQL\backup\X.X

The original database data folder has been renamed to:

C:\ProgramData\Qlik\Sense\Repository\PostgreSQL\X.X_deprecated
Upgrading Qlik Sense after upgrading PostgreSQL with the QPI tool fails with:

This version of Qlik Sense requires a 'SenseServices' database for multi cloud capabilities. Ensure that you have created a 'SenseService' database in your cluster before upgrading. For more information see Installing and configuring PostgreSQL.

See Qlik Sense Upgrade fails with: This version of Qlik Sense requires a _ database for _.

To resolve this, start the postgresql-x64-XX service.

The information in this article is provided as-is and to be used at own discretion. Depending on tool(s) used, customization(s), and/or other factors ongoing support on the solution below may not be provided by Qlik Support. The video in this article was recorded in a earlier version of QPI, some screens might differ a little bit.

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

RaviGinqo — Mon, 30 May 2022 18:52:10 GMT

HI Mario,

That's a great tool for helping with postgreSQL upgrade and making it smoother unlike Uninstall/re-install steps.

Do you know when this tool will be available for download? We have upgrade planned and just wanted to make sure that if its available sooner or should we wait for couple of weeks.

Also do you think that after verifying that new PostgreSQL service/DB works fine, should Service be renamed to Qlik Sense Repository Database for future upgrades? would you recommend that?

How future upgrades will change with Two services for Repository Database - Postgre and Qlik Sense Repository DB?

Thanks

Ravi

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Sonja_Bauernfeind — Tue, 31 May 2022 06:11:52 GMT

Hello @RaviGinqo Let me get some clarity for you on this!

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

khartmann2 — Tue, 31 May 2022 12:41:42 GMT

Hi,

where can i download the installer? It is not available on the download portal.

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Sonja_Bauernfeind — Tue, 31 May 2022 12:45:27 GMT

Hello @khartmann2

If you mean the tool mentioned in this article: This is not yet available. We will update the article when it is.

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Sonja_Bauernfeind — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 08:38:27 GMT

@RaviGinqo Hello Ravi,

The tool is still with our developers, but we will update this article when it is released. I would recommend subscribing to it.

As for your second question: Please do not rename the service.

All the best,
Sonja

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

SivenM2020 — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 08:10:39 GMT

Hello,

Yes, we are also looking for this tool. Please let us know when its ready, so we can start testing in our environment.

Kind Regards,

Siven

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Sonja_Bauernfeind — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 09:07:50 GMT

Hello @RaviGinqo and @SivenM2020

I will reply in this thread once we have it and alert everyone who has actively asked for it. Hopefully, the tool will be available next week.

All the best,
Sonja

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

SDW — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 01:47:57 GMT

hi, where can i download this tool?

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Sonja_Bauernfeind — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 11:57:53 GMT

@SDW @SivenM2020 @RaviGinqo @khartmann2

Hello all,

For the time being: if you’re interested in upgrading the PostgreSQl Repository database to 12.5 using this installer, please make a request for the installer via the Case Portal so that Qlik can assist you with this upgrade.

All the best,
Sonja

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

agenorcanal — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 04:48:53 GMT

hi all, any news about this tool?

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Sonja_Bauernfeind — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 07:03:06 GMT

Hello, @agenorcanal I will ping you once we have news. Hopefully this week.

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Sonja_Bauernfeind — Mon, 25 Jul 2022 12:26:24 GMT

Hello @agenorcanal

The tool has now been released. You can download it here: Qlik PostgreSQL Installer - Download Link

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

agenorcanal — Mon, 25 Jul 2022 13:25:53 GMT

Great ! Thanks a lot !

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

rockabs — Mon, 25 Jul 2022 13:45:21 GMT

Great Stuff, Thanks @Mario_Petre as always!

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

davwade1 — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 23:02:58 GMT

Thanks so much for this tool. I have been anxiously awaiting its completion. However, today I see that is only available for Qlik Sense installations on the C drive, but our instance is installed on the E drive. Is there a plan to make this installation location a variable that can be entered by the end user so all of us non-C: folks can use this tool?

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Sonja_Bauernfeind — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 07:45:19 GMT

@davwade1

Let me find out for you!

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Sonja_Bauernfeind — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 07:39:32 GMT

Hello @davwade1

As documented, this isn't currently possible but I have forwarded the request over to the developers working on this tool as an idea/feature request!

All the best,
Sonja

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

saso70 — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 11:35:25 GMT

Hi, I use the installer but in backup i have a error:

2022-08-29 10:33:48.456 +02:00 [INF] Error when trying to stop Service: QlikSenseRepositoryDatabase in 60 s. Details: Cannot open 'QlikSenseRepositoryDatabase' service on computer '.'..
2022-08-29 10:33:48.456 +02:00 [INF] QlikSenseRepositoryDatabase was stopped
2022-08-29 10:33:48.464 +02:00 [INF] QlikSenseRepositoryDatabase could not be stopped, trying to kill process for QlikSenseRepositoryDatabase
2022-08-29 10:33:48.464 +02:00 [INF] Trying to kill process: 5008
2022-08-29 10:33:48.467 +02:00 [INF] Found process, checking status
2022-08-29 10:33:48.467 +02:00 [INF] Could not kill process for some reason: Access is denied.
2022-08-29 10:33:48.467 +02:00 [ERR] Failure while stopping qlik sense repository database service.
2022-08-29 10:33:48.474 +02:00 [INF] Task:StopQlikSenseRepositoryDatabaseServiceTask completed with exception, Ex: Qlik.PostgreSQL.Installer.Utility.Exceptions.StopQlikSenseRepositoryDatabaseServiceTaskFailedException: Exception of type 'Qlik.PostgreSQL.Installer.Utility.Exceptions.StopQlikSenseRepositoryDatabaseServiceTaskFailedException' was thrown.
at Qlik.PostgreSQL.Installer.Utility.InstallerTask.StopQlikSenseRepositoryDatabaseServiceTask.Execute(InstallerFlowContext context)
at Qlik.PostgreSQL.Installer.Utility.InstallerTasksFlow.InstallerTaskExecutor.Execute(Queue`1 tasks, InstallerFlowContext context),

Any help please

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Sonja_Bauernfeind — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 12:27:29 GMT

Hello,

The error indicates a permission issue with the account you use to run the program (or which is attempting to stop the service):

2022-08-29 10:33:48.467 +02:00 [INF] Could not kill process for some reason: Access is denied.

You may want to try logging in with the admin account running the services and/or executing the program with that account directly.

All the best,
Sonja

article Upgrading and unbundling the Qlik Sense Repository Database using the Qlik PostgreSQL Installer in Official Support Articles

Upgrading and unbundling the Qlik Sense Repository Database using the Qlik PostgreSQL Installer

Supported Scenarios

Upgrades

New installs

Requirements

Known limitations

Installing a new Qlik Sense Repository Database using PostgreSQL

Qlik PostgreSQL Installer - Download Link

Upgrading an existing Qlik Sense Repository Database

The Upgrade

Next Steps and Compatibility with PostgreSQL installers

How do I upgrade PostgreSQL from here on?

Troubleshooting and FAQ

Related Content

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available

Re: Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Database from PostgreSQL 9.6 to 12.5 - New tool available