Backup restoration drills
The restore completed but the application will not start
Diagnose compatibility and dependencies before repeating the restore. A successful data job can leave the application missing configuration, keys or a usable identity.
In this article
Preserve the restored state
Record the recovery point, destination and restore-job result. Avoid overwriting the restored copy immediately, since it may contain useful evidence about the failure.
Confirm the application release and schema expectations. An old backup paired with a newer binary can fail even when both artefacts are intact.
Inspect the first meaningful startup error rather than the final generic health-check failure. Keep secrets and sensitive data out of the incident record.
Check the dependency chain
Verify database connectivity under the runtime identity, key access, secret references and required configuration. Test name resolution and network routes from the application environment itself.
A privileged operator's successful connection does not prove that the service identity has the same access. Use the intended runtime path for verification.
Check object storage and mounted files separately. The database may reference attachments or configuration that were not included in the same restore operation.
Resolve compatibility deliberately
If the restored schema requires a different application version, use the documented compatible release. If migrations are part of recovery, run the reviewed sequence and verify its effect.
Do not patch schema errors one at a time in production merely to make startup progress. That can create a state no supported release understands.
For a missing key or secret, use the established recovery authority. Replacing it with an unrelated new value may make the application start while leaving historical data unreadable.
Verify beyond startup
Once the process is healthy, perform the business workflow that defines recovery. Read an older record and its attachments, then make a controlled update.
Keep external effects isolated until their configuration is verified. A restored scheduler can repeat work or contact live customers unexpectedly.
Record the missing dependency and update the recovery inventory and drill. The incident is resolved when the application can use the restored state correctly, not merely when its process remains running.
Primary sources
PostgreSQL: continuous archiving and recoveryReferences checked 11 September 2026.