How to Restore a Database in Odoo 18 ERP
By Braincuber Team
Published on January 16, 2026
Data is the lifeblood of your ERP system. Whether you're recovering from a critical server failure, migrating to a new host, or simply spinning up a staging environment for testing, knowing how to properly restore your Odoo database is a non-negotiable skill for any administrator.
In Odoo 18, the restoration process is straightforward but powerful. It allows you to take a .zip backup file—containing your filestore and SQL dump—and bring it back to life in minutes. This tutorial guides you through the exact steps to restore a database safely using the Database Manager interface, along with troubleshooting tips for common pitfalls.
Prerequisites: You need the Master Password of your Odoo instance and a valid backup file (format: .zip or .dump). Access the Database Manager at /web/database/manager.
Why Database Restoration Matters
Disaster Recovery
Quickly bring operations back online after accidental deletion, corruption, or server crashes.
Testing & Staging
Create safe sandbox environments by restoring production data to test new modules or configurations.
Migration
Move your entire ERP system from one server to another seamlessly.
Security Audits
Restore copies to audit user permissions and data integrity without affecting live operations.
Step-by-Step Restoration Guide
Access Database Manager
Navigate to your Odoo instance's database management URL:
Click the Restore Database button.
Configure Restore Settings
You will be prompted with a form. Fill in the following details:
- Master Password: Enter the administrative password set in your
odoo.conffile. - File: Click "Choose File" and select your backup
.zipor.dumpfile. - Database Name: Give your new database a unique name (e.g.,
production_restored_v1). - This database is a copy:
- Checked (Copy): Generates a new database UUID. Safe for testing; prevents conflicts with Odoo Enterprise subscription.
- Unchecked (Move): Keeps the original UUID. Use ONLY if you are moving the production DB to a new server and decommissioning the old one.
Execute & Wait
Click Continue. The browser will upload the file.
Large Files: If your backup is large (hundreds of MBs or GBs), the browser might appear to freeze. Do not close the tab. Wait for the page to refresh or redirect to the database list.
Restoring via Command Line (Advanced)
For large databases where browser uploads might time out, using the command line is more reliable.
# 1. Stop the Odoo service sudo service odoo stop # 2. Create the new database in PostgreSQL sudo su - postgres createdb -O odoo new_database_name # 3. Restore the SQL dump (if you have the .sql file extracted from the .zip) psql new_database_name < /path/to/dump.sql # 4. If using a .zip with filestore, extract filestore to: # /var/lib/odoo/.local/share/Odoo/filestore/new_database_name # 5. Restart Odoo sudo service odoo start
Troubleshooting Restoration Issues
Master Password Error
Fix: Check your odoo.conf file (usually in /etc/odoo/) for the admin_passwd parameter. If it's missing, you may need to set one.
Timeout / 504 Gateway
Fix: Increase Nginx/Apache client_max_body_size and timeout settings, or use the Command Line restore method.
Filestore Missing
Fix: If images/attachments are missing after restore, ensure you restored a .zip (which includes filestore) and not just a SQL dump.
Best Practices
Safe Restoration Habits:
- Test Your Backups: Don't wait for a disaster. Periodically restore a backup to a staging server to verify it works.
- Use "Copy" for Testing: Always check "This database is a copy" when restoring to a test environment to prevent database UUID conflicts.
- Secure Master Password: Your master password grants full control over all databases. Keep it strong and secure.
- Check Storage Space: Ensure the target server has enough disk space to hold the restored database and filestore.
Conclusion
Restoring a database in Odoo 18 is a critical administrative task that ensures business continuity. Whether used for disaster recovery or creating testing environments, the process is designed to be simple and robust. By following these steps and understanding the difference between "moving" and "copying" a database, you can manage your Odoo infrastructure with confidence.
Key Takeaway: Navigate to /web/database/manager → Restore Database → Upload File. Use "Copy" mode for testing to avoid UUID conflicts. For large files (>200MB), consider CLI restoration.