So, you’re trying to self-host Outline and you’ve hit a snag. You’re seeing the dreaded ERROR: Error parsing url: undefined message when setting up the database. I’ve been there. It’s frustrating, but thankfully, usually fixable.
This error typically points to a problem with your PostgreSQL database configuration. It often means Outline can’t connect to the database because something’s wrong with the connection string.
Understanding the Problem
Outline needs to know where your database lives and how to access it. This information is provided in the DATABASE_URL environment variable. If this URL is incorrect or incomplete, Outline gets lost.
Common Causes and Solutions
Here’s what usually causes this error, and how to fix it:
- Typo in the
DATABASE_URL: Double-check every character in yourDATABASE_URL. A single typo can throw everything off. Make sure it matches this format:postgres://${POSTGRES_USER}:${POSTGRES_PSWD}@${POSTGRES_IP}:5432/outline. - Incorrect PostgreSQL Credentials: Ensure your
POSTGRES_USERandPOSTGRES_PSWDvalues are correct. Even a misplaced capital letter can cause issues. Try logging into your PostgreSQL database directly using these credentials to confirm they work. - Wrong PostgreSQL IP Address: Is
${POSTGRES_IP}the correct IP address of your PostgreSQL server? From the Outline server, try pinging the PostgreSQL server’s IP to make sure you can reach it. - PostgreSQL Server Not Running: Make sure your PostgreSQL server is actually running. It sounds obvious, but it’s easy to overlook. Check the server status and start it if necessary.
- Firewall Issues: Your server’s firewall might be blocking connections to PostgreSQL’s default port (5432). Open this port for incoming connections from the Outline server.
Example .env Configuration
Here’s a sample .env file for reference. Remember to replace the bracketed placeholders with your actual values:
POSTGRES_USER=your_postgres_user
POSTGRES_PSWD=your_postgres_password
POSTGRES_DB=outline
POSTGRES_IP=your_postgres_server_ip
DATABASE_URL=postgres://${POSTGRES_USER}:${POSTGRES_PSWD}@${POSTGRES_IP}:5432/outline
Still Stuck?
If you’ve checked all of these and you’re still hitting the error, here are a few more things to try:
- Restart your Outline server: Sometimes a fresh start helps.
- Consult the Outline documentation: They might have more specific troubleshooting steps.
- Check online forums: Search for similar issues on forums like the Outline community or Stack Overflow.
Self-hosting can be tricky, but don’t give up! With a little patience, you’ll get Outline up and running.
