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Managing PostgreSQL via the command line is powerful — but sometimes, you need a graphical interface. pgAdmin 4 in web mode is a top-tier choice for PostgreSQL management. In this guide, you'll learn how to install pgAdmin 4 on a remote Ubuntu server via SSH, and fix every common error along the way.

🎯 By the end, you’ll have pgAdmin 4 running in your browser, ready to manage any PostgreSQL server — local or remote.

🧰 Prerequisites

Make sure you have:

• ✅ Ubuntu 20.04 or later on your server

• ✅ SSH access (user or root)

• ✅ PostgreSQL already installed (optional, but recommended)

📥 Step 1: SSH Into Your Server

First, connect to your Ubuntu server:

ssh your-user@your-server-ip

Example using a username:

ssh devlop@103.206.13.xxx

🔄 Step 2: Update Packages and Install Dependencies

Update your package list and install essential dependencies, including Apache (required for pgAdmin web mode):

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install curl ca-certificates gnupg apache2 -y

Make sure Apache is installed before you install pgAdmin.

📦 Step 3: Add the pgAdmin Repository

Add the official pgAdmin APT repository securely using GPG:

curl https://www.pgadmin.org/static/packages_pgadmin_org.pub | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/pgadmin.gpg

echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/pgadmin.gpg] https://ftp.postgresql.org/pub/pgadmin/pgadmin4/apt/$(lsb_release -cs) pgadmin4 main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/pgadmin4.list

sudo apt update

🧱 Step 4: Install pgAdmin 4 Web Mode

Now install the web version of pgAdmin 4:

sudo apt install pgadmin4-web -y

⚙️ Step 5: Run the Setup Script

Initialize pgAdmin:

sudo /usr/pgadmin4/bin/setup-web.sh

You should see:

"Enter the email address and password to use for the pgAdmin user account:"

If you don’t see this, no worries — a fix is below.

Say yes (y) to restarting Apache when prompted.

🐞 Common Errors & Fixes

❌ Didn’t Get Prompted for Email/Password?

This means pgAdmin was already initialized without a user.

✅ Fix it:

sudo rm -rf /var/lib/pgadmin
sudo /usr/pgadmin4/bin/setup-web.sh

You’ll now be prompted to set the email and password.

❌ Apache Fails to Start?

Check Apache status:

sudo systemctl status apache2

If you see:

apache2: Could not open configuration file /etc/apache2/apache2.conf: No such file or directory

✅ Fix it by reinstalling Apache:

sudo apt purge apache2 apache2-utils apache2-bin apache2.2-common -y
sudo rm -rf /etc/apache2
sudo apt install apache2 -y

Then rerun the setup:

sudo /usr/pgadmin4/bin/setup-web.sh

❌ Port 80 Already in Use?

Check what’s using port 80:

sudo lsof -i :80

If it's another service (like nginx or tor):

✅ Stop it:

sudo systemctl stop nginx

Then restart Apache:

sudo systemctl restart apache2

🌐 Step 6: Access pgAdmin in Your Browser

Now head to your browser and go to:

http://your-server-ip/pgadmin4

Or, for local access:

http://103.206.13.xxx/pgadmin4

Log in using the email and password you set earlier.

🗄️ Step 7: Connect to Your PostgreSQL Server

Once logged in:

1. Click “Add New Server”

2. Go to the Connection tab and enter:

3. Save the server, and you're in!