In any Odoo installation, the database connection is perhaps the most important configuration you will set. Get it right and Odoo talks to PostgreSQL reliably and securely; get it wrong and you face "connection refused", authentication failures, or "too many clients" errors. All of this is controlled by the odoo.conf file. This complete tutorial is a step by step beginner guide to configuring database connection parameters in Odoo 19, every key option explained, with copy-paste example configs for single-server, multi-database, and remote setups, plus how to test the connection and harden it for production.

What You'll Learn:

Every core parameter: db_host, db_port, db_user, db_password, db_name
Advanced options: dbfilter, db_maxconn, db_template
Ready-to-use configs for single-server, multi-database, and remote setups
How to create a dedicated PostgreSQL user and protect odoo.conf
How to test connections and fix common errors
Production best practices, including SSL

Core Database Connection Parameters

db_host, db_port, db_user, db_password, db_name

db_host tells Odoo where PostgreSQL runs (localhost, an IP, or a hostname). db_port is the port (default 5432). db_user is the connecting user, db_password its password, and db_name the database to connect to (set False to show the database selection screen).

Parameter	Purpose	Example
db_host	Where PostgreSQL runs	localhost / 192.168.1.20
db_port	PostgreSQL port	5432 (default)
db_user	Database user	odoo
db_password	User password	T7#kL92!xQp@8
db_name	Database to connect	False / production_db
dbfilter	Limit exposed databases (regex)	^%d$ / ^mycompany.*$
db_maxconn	Max concurrent connections	64 (default)
db_template	Template for new databases	template0

Create a Dedicated PostgreSQL User

Use a dedicated odoo user rather than the PostgreSQL superuser for increased security and easier management of user rights. Then protect odoo.conf with restricted file permissions so the password is not world-readable.

Create User & Protect Config

# Create a dedicated Odoo PostgreSQL user
sudo -u postgres createuser -s odoo
sudo -u postgres psql
ALTER USER odoo WITH PASSWORD 'admin';

# Protect the configuration file
chmod 640 /etc/odoo.conf
chown odoo:odoo /etc/odoo.conf

dbfilter, db_maxconn, db_template

dbfilter restricts which databases are available (e.g. ^%d$ for domain-based filtering). db_maxconn caps connections (default 64; plan as workers x connections-per-worker). db_template sets the template for new databases, use template0 for a clean setup or template1 to include existing objects.

Example Configurations

Pick the example closest to your deployment and adapt the values.

odoo.conf Examples

# Single-server production
[options]
db_host = localhost
db_port = 5432
db_user = odoo
db_password = StrongPassword123
db_name = production_db
db_maxconn = 64

# Multi-database (domain-based)
[options]
db_host = localhost
db_port = 5432
db_user = odoo
db_password = StrongPassword123
db_name = False
dbfilter = ^%d$
db_maxconn = 128

# Remote PostgreSQL server
[options]
db_host = 10.0.0.15
db_port = 5432
db_user = odoo
db_password = StrongPassword123
db_name = False

Restart and Test the Connection

After editing odoo.conf, restart the service, follow the logs, and verify connectivity directly with psql before assuming the app config is the problem.

Restart & Test

# Restart Odoo and watch logs
sudo systemctl restart odoo
sudo journalctl -u odoo -f

# Test local / remote PostgreSQL connection
psql -h localhost -U odoo -d postgres
psql -h 10.0.0.15 -U odoo -d postgres

# Find the active PostgreSQL port
sudo ss -plunt | grep postgres

Common Connection Errors

Error	Cause	Solution
password authentication failed	Wrong credentials or pg_hba.conf	Verify password, username, and config
database does not exist	Wrong database name	Check with: psql -U postgres -l
too many clients already	Connection limits exceeded	Adjust db_maxconn or max_connections
timeout expired	Network or firewall issues	Verify connectivity and firewall rules

Connection Refused?

A "connection refused" error usually means PostgreSQL isn't running, a firewall is blocking port 5432, or PostgreSQL isn't listening on the right IPs. Check listen_addresses = '*' in postgresql.conf.

Best Practices

Secure the Connection

Use a dedicated user, restrict odoo.conf permissions, and add SSL for production since the connection is unencrypted by default, via an SSL-enabled PostgreSQL, private networking, or a VPN.

Isolate and Monitor

Use dbfilter for database isolation, avoid single-server setups for production where possible, and monitor connections with: SELECT * FROM pg_stat_activity;

Key Insight:

The database connection is the foundation of every Odoo deployment. Set the core parameters carefully, size db_maxconn to your worker count, isolate databases with dbfilter, and never ship to production without a dedicated user, locked-down odoo.conf, and an encrypted connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I set database connection parameters in Odoo 19?

In the odoo.conf file under the [options] section. It controls how Odoo 19 connects to PostgreSQL via db_host, db_port, db_user, db_password, and db_name.

What is the default Odoo database port?

PostgreSQL's default port is 5432, set with db_port = 5432. You can use a custom port like 5433. Check the active port with: sudo ss -plunt | grep postgres.

What does db_maxconn do in Odoo?

It caps concurrent database connections (default 64). Plan it as worker count times connections per worker, for example 4 workers x 16 = 64 total.

What is dbfilter used for?

dbfilter limits which databases Odoo exposes using regex. For example dbfilter = ^%d$ filters databases by the domain name used to access Odoo, useful for multi-database hosting.

Is the Odoo database connection encrypted by default?

No. It is unencrypted by default. For production, secure it with an SSL-enabled PostgreSQL server, private cloud networking, and/or internal VPNs.

Need Help with Your Odoo Deployment?

Our Odoo experts can configure secure, high-performance database connections, set up multi-database hosting, and harden your odoo.conf for production. Get hands-on help with your Odoo 19 infrastructure.

What You'll Learn:

Every core parameter: db_host, db_port, db_user, db_password, db_name
Advanced options: dbfilter, db_maxconn, db_template
Ready-to-use configs for single-server, multi-database, and remote setups
How to create a dedicated PostgreSQL user and protect odoo.conf
How to test connections and fix common errors
Production best practices, including SSL

Core Database Connection Parameters

db_host, db_port, db_user, db_password, db_name

Parameter	Purpose	Example
db_host	Where PostgreSQL runs	localhost / 192.168.1.20
db_port	PostgreSQL port	5432 (default)
db_user	Database user	odoo
db_password	User password	T7#kL92!xQp@8
db_name	Database to connect	False / production_db
dbfilter	Limit exposed databases (regex)	^%d$ / ^mycompany.*$
db_maxconn	Max concurrent connections	64 (default)
db_template	Template for new databases	template0

Create a Dedicated PostgreSQL User

Create User & Protect Config

# Create a dedicated Odoo PostgreSQL user
sudo -u postgres createuser -s odoo
sudo -u postgres psql
ALTER USER odoo WITH PASSWORD 'admin';

# Protect the configuration file
chmod 640 /etc/odoo.conf
chown odoo:odoo /etc/odoo.conf

dbfilter, db_maxconn, db_template

Example Configurations

Pick the example closest to your deployment and adapt the values.

odoo.conf Examples

# Single-server production
[options]
db_host = localhost
db_port = 5432
db_user = odoo
db_password = StrongPassword123
db_name = production_db
db_maxconn = 64

# Multi-database (domain-based)
[options]
db_host = localhost
db_port = 5432
db_user = odoo
db_password = StrongPassword123
db_name = False
dbfilter = ^%d$
db_maxconn = 128

# Remote PostgreSQL server
[options]
db_host = 10.0.0.15
db_port = 5432
db_user = odoo
db_password = StrongPassword123
db_name = False

Restart and Test the Connection

After editing odoo.conf, restart the service, follow the logs, and verify connectivity directly with psql before assuming the app config is the problem.

Restart & Test

# Restart Odoo and watch logs
sudo systemctl restart odoo
sudo journalctl -u odoo -f

# Test local / remote PostgreSQL connection
psql -h localhost -U odoo -d postgres
psql -h 10.0.0.15 -U odoo -d postgres

# Find the active PostgreSQL port
sudo ss -plunt | grep postgres

Common Connection Errors

Error	Cause	Solution
password authentication failed	Wrong credentials or pg_hba.conf	Verify password, username, and config
database does not exist	Wrong database name	Check with: psql -U postgres -l
too many clients already	Connection limits exceeded	Adjust db_maxconn or max_connections
timeout expired	Network or firewall issues	Verify connectivity and firewall rules

Connection Refused?

Best Practices

Secure the Connection

Use a dedicated user, restrict odoo.conf permissions, and add SSL for production since the connection is unencrypted by default, via an SSL-enabled PostgreSQL, private networking, or a VPN.

Isolate and Monitor

Use dbfilter for database isolation, avoid single-server setups for production where possible, and monitor connections with: SELECT * FROM pg_stat_activity;

Key Insight:

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I set database connection parameters in Odoo 19?

In the odoo.conf file under the [options] section. It controls how Odoo 19 connects to PostgreSQL via db_host, db_port, db_user, db_password, and db_name.

What is the default Odoo database port?

PostgreSQL's default port is 5432, set with db_port = 5432. You can use a custom port like 5433. Check the active port with: sudo ss -plunt | grep postgres.

What does db_maxconn do in Odoo?

It caps concurrent database connections (default 64). Plan it as worker count times connections per worker, for example 4 workers x 16 = 64 total.

What is dbfilter used for?

dbfilter limits which databases Odoo exposes using regex. For example dbfilter = ^%d$ filters databases by the domain name used to access Odoo, useful for multi-database hosting.

Is the Odoo database connection encrypted by default?

No. It is unencrypted by default. For production, secure it with an SSL-enabled PostgreSQL server, private cloud networking, and/or internal VPNs.

How to Configure Database Connection Parameters in Odoo 19

Core Database Connection Parameters

db_host, db_port, db_user, db_password, db_name

Create a Dedicated PostgreSQL User

dbfilter, db_maxconn, db_template

Example Configurations

Restart and Test the Connection

Common Connection Errors

Best Practices

Secure the Connection

Isolate and Monitor

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I set database connection parameters in Odoo 19?

What is the default Odoo database port?

What does db_maxconn do in Odoo?

What is dbfilter used for?

Is the Odoo database connection encrypted by default?

Need Help with Your Odoo Deployment?

Need this implemented in your project?

Take the guide with you

Book a 30-min architecture call

Get a free 48-hour written brief

How to Configure Database Connection Parameters in Odoo 19

Core Database Connection Parameters

db_host, db_port, db_user, db_password, db_name

Create a Dedicated PostgreSQL User

dbfilter, db_maxconn, db_template

Example Configurations

Restart and Test the Connection

Common Connection Errors

Best Practices

Secure the Connection

Isolate and Monitor

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I set database connection parameters in Odoo 19?

What is the default Odoo database port?

What does db_maxconn do in Odoo?

What is dbfilter used for?

Is the Odoo database connection encrypted by default?

Need Help with Your Odoo Deployment?

Need this implemented in your project?

Take the guide with you

Book a 30-min architecture call

Get a free 48-hour written brief