terminating connection due to administrator command

Symptoms

A session was terminated by an administrator command (e.g. pg_terminate_backend() or a fast shutdown). PostgreSQL raises SQLSTATE 57P01 (admin_shutdown).

• The connection was terminated by an admin action.
• Common during fast shutdown or manual session termination.
• Distinct from a crash.

What the server log shows

FATAL:  terminating connection due to administrator command

Why PostgreSQL raises this — what the manual says

Section 9.28.2 Server Signaling Functions:

“pg_cancel_backend and pg_terminate_backend send signals (SIGINT or SIGTERM respectively) to backend processes identified by process ID.”

Administrative actions — pg_terminate_backend(), a fast/immediate shutdown, or signals — ask backends to exit. The affected session ends and reports 57P01.

Common causes

• An admin ran pg_terminate_backend(pid).
• A fast shutdown of the server.
• Management tooling recycling connections.

How to fix it

1. Reconnect; this is an intentional termination, not an error in your query.
2. If unexpected, check who/what terminated the session (logs, automation).
3. Make the application resilient to administrative disconnects.

Related & next steps

• SQLSTATE 57P01 — Admin Shutdown (full reference)
• Message: terminating connection due to administrator command
• Glossary: Backend process

Reference: PostgreSQL 18 Section 9.28 “System Administration Functions”.