---
title: "Solving PostgreSQL's pg_basebackup 'ERROR: temporary file size exceeds temp_file_limit'"
description: Increase your PostgreSQL's temp_file_limit to prevent pg_basebackup errors and ensure smooth backup operations. Learn how to adjust settings for optimal performance.
---

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# [Solving PostgreSQL's pg_basebackup 'ERROR: temporary file size exceeds temp_file_limit'](https://www.pythian.com/blog/solving-postgresqls-pg_basebackup-error-temporary-file-size-exceeds-temp_file_limit-1kb)

 Written by [Athar Ishteyaque](https://www.pythian.com/blog/author/athar-ishteyaque) | Sep 25, 2024 5:55:49 PM

When performing a pg_basebackup in PostgreSQL, you might run into this frustrating error:

```
pg_basebackup: error: could not get COPY data stream: ERROR: temporary file size exceeds temp_file_limit (1KB)
```

This error occurs because PostgreSQL enforces a strict limit on the size of temporary files created during operations like backups. Here, the limit (temp_file_limit) is set to 1 KB, which is far too small for most tasks—especially for a backup operation.

## What causes this error?

The parameter temp_file_limit controls the maximum size of temporary files that a session can create. PostgreSQL often creates temporary files during complex operations, such as sorting, hashing, and backups. In this case, the pg_basebackup process exceeded the tiny 1KB limit set for temporary files, triggering the error.

## How to fix the error

The solution is simple: increase the temp_file_limit to a more reasonable value. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to fix the issue:

### 1. Edit postgresql.conf

Locate your PostgreSQL configuration file (postgresql.conf) and increase the temp_file_limit value. Here’s an example:

```
temp_file_limit = '1GB'
```

 

A value like 1GB or higher is recommended, depending on your system’s resources and workload.

### 2. Reload or restart PostgreSQL

Once you've made the change, reload or restart PostgreSQL to apply the new configuration:

```
# Reload the configurationpg_ctl reload# Reload the configurationsystemctl reload postgresql
```

 

### 3. Retry pg_basebackup

Now, try running pg_basebackup again, and it should proceed without any issues.

## Conclusion

This error is typically caused by a misconfigured temp_file_limit set to a very low value (like 1KB). Increasing this limit to a reasonable size allows PostgreSQL to handle temporary files properly during complex operations like backups.

By setting temp_file_limit to a higher value and ensuring sufficient disk space, you can avoid this issue and ensure smooth backup operations.

## PostgreSQL Database Consulting

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