My ddev project says "db service stopped" and I can't get it started "db service health check timed out"

3 min read 06-10-2024

My ddev project says "db service stopped" and I can't get it started "db service health check timed out"

Ddev "db service stopped" and "db service health check timed out" - A Common Problem and Solution

Ever started your Ddev project only to be greeted with the dreaded "db service stopped" error and the equally frustrating "db service health check timed out" message? This can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you're eager to get working on your code.

Let's break down why this happens and explore the solutions to get your database service back up and running.

Understanding the Problem

Ddev, a powerful local development environment tool, relies on Docker containers to run your project's dependencies, including the database. When you see these errors, it usually means your database container has encountered a problem and is not starting or functioning as expected.

Replicating the Scenario

Imagine you're working on a WordPress project and run ddev start only to see these errors:

$ ddev start
Starting services...
Starting db...
Error: health check timed out
db service stopped

This tells us that Ddev is trying to start the database container, but it's failing to connect to it.

Investigating the Cause

Here's where we need to troubleshoot:

Docker Issues: The most common culprit is a problem with your local Docker installation. Make sure Docker is running correctly, and that you have enough resources available (memory and disk space).
Database Configuration: Check your ddev-config.yaml file for any potential issues with your database configuration. This might include incorrect settings for the database type, version, or even an invalid database password.
Permissions: Docker containers might be facing permission issues when trying to access necessary files.
Container Crash: The database container may have crashed due to a bug, corrupted data, or insufficient resources.

Common Solutions

Restart Docker: Sometimes the simplest solution is the best. Restart your Docker Desktop application (or Docker service if you're on Linux) and try starting your Ddev project again.
Clear the Cache: Ddev stores temporary files related to your project. Clearing the cache can sometimes resolve conflicts:
```
ddev cache clean
```
Rebuild the Container: This forces Ddev to recreate the database container from scratch, potentially resolving any corrupted data or configurations:
```
ddev restart -y 
```
Check ddev-config.yaml: Carefully review your ddev-config.yaml for any errors or inconsistencies. Pay attention to:
- db_type: Make sure it matches the type of database you're using (e.g., mysql, postgres).
- db_version: Ensure the version is supported by your project.
- db_port: The port should be accessible and not in use by other applications.
- db_user: The username should be correct.
- db_password: The password should be correct and should not be case-sensitive.
Troubleshooting Permissions:
- Ensure the Docker user (usually root) has appropriate permissions to access files and directories related to your project.
- You might need to use sudo or adjust file permissions if the Docker user is missing access rights.
Check for Disk Space: Insufficient disk space can prevent the container from starting properly. Free up some space on your system.
Inspect Docker Logs: Look for more detailed error messages within your Docker logs. Access these logs using ddev logs -s db. This will give you more information about what caused the failure.

Additional Resources

Ddev Documentation: https://ddev.readthedocs.io/en/stable/ - The official documentation for Ddev offers comprehensive information on troubleshooting and configuring your development environment.
Ddev Community Forums: https://community.ddev.com/ - This forum is an excellent resource for asking questions and seeking help from experienced Ddev users.

Conclusion

The "db service stopped" and "db service health check timed out" errors are common in Ddev projects. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined above and exploring potential causes, you can diagnose and resolve the issue efficiently. Remember to check your database configuration, permissions, and Docker resources for a smooth development experience.