Postgres: “show max_connections;” output a different value from postgresql.conf file

Question

I'm trying to increase the max_connections value from the config file, but the show max_connections; command always shows 100.

I restarted postgres after changing the conf file,

I have modified the correct config file which is displayed by the command: show config_file;

Answer 1

As the current value is stored in postgresql.auto.conf, it was changed using ALTER SYSTEM and thus has priority over any value in postgresql.conf.

You can either use ALTER SYSTEM again to increase the value:

alter system set max_connections = 250;

which will adjust the value stored in postgresql.auto.conf

Or you can remove the entry from postgresql.auto.conf by using:

alter system reset max_connections;

Then the value from postgresql.conf will be used.

In either case, you have to restart Postgres to apply the new value.