article How to reset forgotten PostgreSQL password in Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows in Official Support Articles

How to reset forgotten PostgreSQL password in Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows

Bjorn_Wedbratt — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 06:08:34 GMT

A password is provided during the installation of Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows. Should you forget this password, there's no way to retrieve it; however, it is possible to reset the password by following the steps below.

If after the procedure is completed errors are logged of a wrong password, see Qliksenserepository password error in the event logs after changing the database service user password for further information.

Stop all the Qlik Sense services

Verify that the Qlik Sense Repository Database service (or postgresql-x64-xx if the database is not a bundled install and/or was installed using QPI) is stopped.
The next step will require modifying the pg_hba.conf and postgresql.conf files. We will swap the currently active authentication method to trust, allowing us to connect without a password.

Before modifying the file, take a backup of both files.

File locations:

Default (bundled):

C:\ProgramData\Qlik\Sense\Repository\PostgreSQL\12.5

Alternative (unbundled, custom install):

C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\12.5\data

*12.5 refers to the PostgreSQL version. Adjust accordingly depending on what version is installed.
Open a text editor (such as Notepad or Notepad++) As Administrator and browse to the .conf file location.

If you cannot see the .conf files, switch the file view to All Files (*) or All Types, depending on your editor.
Open pg_hba.conf
Change the METHOD from md5 (alternative: scram-sha-256) to trust

Only the first two lines for IPv4 and IPv6 entries must be changed. trust must be lowercase.

Original:
# TYPE DATABASE USER ADDRESS METHOD # IPv4 local connections: host all all 127.0.0.1/32 md5 # IPv6 local connections: host all all ::1/128 md5

Updated:
# TYPE DATABASE USER ADDRESS METHOD # IPv4 local connections: host all all 127.0.0.1/32 trust # IPv6 local connections: host all all ::1/128 trust
Save the file, close it
Start the Qlik Sense Repository Database (or postgresql-x64-xx).
Launch the Windows Command Line As Administrator.
In the command line, navigate to the PostgreSQL bin folder
cd "C:\Program files\Qlik\Sense\Repository\PostgreSQL\12.5\bin"*12.5 refers to the PostgreSQL version. Adjust accordingly depending on what version is installed.
Run psql to connect to the database:
psql -h 127.0.0.1 -p 4432 -U postgresThe response will provide the postgres=# prompt, which we will use to change the passwords.
Proceed from the postgres=#

The Qlik Sense PostgreSQL database has two users:

postgre: the super user
qliksenserepository: the service user; if the database was installed manually or set up with QPI, this may be the only user set up

The passwords must be the same for both.
1. Change the postgres user account (you must include the single quotes and the semicolon):
  alter user postgres with encrypted password 'EnterYourNewPasswordHere';
  Response:
2. Change the qliksenserepository user account (you must include the single quotes and the semicolon):
  alter user qliksenserepository with encrypted password 'EnterYourNewPasswordHere';Response:
Close the command prompt.
Adjust the connection string using QlikSenseUtil
1. Open QlikSenseUtil (C:\Program Files\Qlik\Sense\Repository\Util\QlikSenseUtil)
2. Open the Connection String Editor tab
3. Click Read
4. Adjust the password
5. Click Save Value in config file encrypted
Change the Connection Strings for Micro-Services as per Changing the Connection String for Micro-Services.
Stop the Qlik Sense Repository Database (or postgresql-x64-xx).
Revert the changes done to the pg_hba.conf file, changing back METHOD from trust to md5 (alternative: scram-sha-256).
Start all services (Manual start and stop order of Qlik Sense services).

This concludes the required steps.

To verify if the password was correctly changed, you can either run psql again, connect with the PGAdmin, or review the Qlik Sense Repository log for success messages on boot.

Re: How-to reset forgotten PostgreSQL password in Qlik Sense

houssamely — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 12:31:04 GMT

Hello,

This procedure did not succeed for us (QS Aprilm 2020 Patch 3 ). We had to execute this fix : https://support.qlik.com/articles/Basic/Qliksenserepository-password-error-in-the-event-logs-after-changing-the-database-service-user-password

Can you add these steps to the procedure ?

Thank you for your work,

Re: How-to reset forgotten PostgreSQL password in Qlik Sense

hmjason7 — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 10:23:12 GMT

Has anyone else come across any issues?

I managed to implement all the steps but am unable to access the QMC or Hub.

Re: How-to reset forgotten PostgreSQL password in Qlik Sense

Sonja_Bauernfeind — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 11:22:17 GMT

Hello @hmjason7 - You may want to gather additional information on the issue you are seeing (error messages, screenprints) and post on our Qlik Sense Deployment forums for better visibility.

Re: How-to reset forgotten PostgreSQL password in Qlik Sense

cata_pli — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 15:07:52 GMT

You start the video saying there is no way to recover the password, and then, in step 12, you show us how we can see the old password 🙂

Much easier to recover, than to change it

Re: How-to reset forgotten PostgreSQL password in Qlik Sense

piotr_kierul — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 08:17:44 GMT

@cata_pli exactly!! 😂

Re: How-to reset forgotten PostgreSQL password in Qlik Sense

Benoit_C — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 11:47:42 GMT

@cata_pli , this Step 12 will show you the qliksenserepository password only.

So if you don't remember super admin password (Postgres user) then it won't be enough. It works only if you have put the same password for qliksenserepository and Postgres.

Re: How-to reset forgotten PostgreSQL password in Qlik Sense

gkkandukuri — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 03:06:46 GMT

Hi,

i am not able to see bin folder in below location. has any one come across this issue?

cd "C:\Program files\Qlik\Sense\Repository\PostgreSQL\9.6\bin"

Re: How-to reset forgotten PostgreSQL password in Qlik Sense

Benoit_C — Fri, 13 Jan 2023 07:27:13 GMT

Hi @gkkandukuri,

What is your Postgres version ?

Do you have a bundled Postgres Database or a Standalone ?

Re: How-to reset forgotten PostgreSQL password in Qlik Sense

gkkandukuri — Mon, 16 Jan 2023 17:40:07 GMT

HI,

sorry i found the bin folder was looking in C drive instead of D drive

Re: How-to reset forgotten PostgreSQL password in Qlik Sense

p_verkooijen — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 07:34:08 GMT

@Bjorn_Wedbratt @Sonja_Bauernfeind

Please combine and/or update this support article with info from https://community.qlik.com/t5/Official-Support-Articles/How-to-change-the-Qlik-Sense-Enterprise-on-Windows-PostgreSQL/ta-p/2046846

3. Changing the Connection String for Micro-Services

Without changing the microservices you cannot complete the password change

Re: How to reset forgotten PostgreSQL password in Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows

Sonja_Bauernfeind — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 09:59:08 GMT

Hello @p_verkooijen

I've updated/rewritten the article and linked it to the second article at the appropriate step. Thank you for alerting us!

The video is under review and will be updated or slightly modified.

All the best,
Sonja