configuration file “…” contains errors

SQLSTATE F0000 condition config_file_error class F0 — Configuration File Error severity ERROR

Reproduced & verified on PostgreSQL 14.23, 15.18, 16.14, 17.10 and 18.4 — identical message on every version.

Last reviewed 29 May 2026 · Reproduced live with the SQL on this page.

Symptoms

A statement failed with SQLSTATE F0000 (config_file_error), reported at severity ERROR. This is a Configuration File Error condition: PostgreSQL emits the message configuration file "…" contains errors.

The client receives SQLSTATE F0000 (config file error).
The operation is rejected at ERROR level; the statement does not complete.

What the server log shows

ERROR:  configuration file "…" contains errors

Why PostgreSQL raises this

Class F0 (Configuration File Error) is raised when a configuration file is malformed or a parameter value is invalid.

As described in PostgreSQL’s Section 19.1 Setting Parameters and Appendix A (PostgreSQL Error Codes), SQLSTATE F0000 carries the condition name config_file_error in class Configuration File Error. (Paraphrased — see the linked reference for the exact wording.)

Common causes

A syntax error in postgresql.conf or an included file.
An invalid or out-of-range parameter value.
A parameter that cannot be set in the given context.

How to fix it

Fix the offending line and reload (pg_ctl reload).
Validate parameter values against the documented range.
Check the log for the exact file and line reported.

Version applicability

This message text is present in PostgreSQL 16, 17, 18, 19. It was introduced around PostgreSQL 16; earlier releases do not emit this exact text.

Related & next steps

Reference: PostgreSQL Section 19.1 Setting Parameters.