repmgrd startup error: PID file exists even after config changes

[sudha]

Hi,

I’m trying to start repmgrd on my PostgreSQL 17 cluster, but I keep getting this error:

[ERROR] PID file "/tmp/repmgrd.pid" exists and seems to contain a valid PID

[2025-08-08 13:15:31] [HINT] if repmgrd is no longer alive, remove the file and restart repmgrd

Here’s what I have tried so far:

• Updated /etc/default/repmgrd

• • Commented out REPMGRD_PIDFILE in the same file.

  • Restarted the service.

However, I still get the same PID file error. 

Any advice on how to properly resolve this ?
Thanks in Advance!