# Bootstrap failed, please help :(

**URL:** <https://meta.discourse.org/t/bootstrap-failed-please-help/147620>\
**Category:** Self-hosting\
**Created:** [April 11, 2020, 1:11pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/bootstrap-failed-please-help/147620 "2020-04-11T13:11:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 6

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**Author:** ![amotl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/amotl/32/109873_2.png) [@amotl](https://meta.discourse.org/u/amotl)\
**Post date:** [December 5, 2022, 6:21pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/bootstrap-failed-please-help/147620/6 "2022-12-05T18:21:26Z")

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Hi there,

> [@wishspinner](#):
>
> ```plaintext
> LOG: database system shutdown was interrupted; last known up at 2020-04-11 12:42:48 UTC
> LOG: database system was not properly shut down; automatic recovery in progress
> LOG: invalid record length at ...
> 
> ```

we just received the same message on a rebuild for a version upgrade …

> [@pfaffman](#):
>
> Looks like your database is corrupt.

… and thought the same was happening to us – for the first time ever –

> [@pfaffman](#):
>
> The easiest solution is probably to delete the database directory, which will build a new database. Then you can restore from your most recent backup.

… and hesitantly looked for the backup directory ;]. A fresh backup was there, so we relaxed a bit.

> [@wishspinner](#):
>
> To give you an update now that I’m out of the heat of it - rebooting the server allowed the app to rebuild.

We also just wanted to share that, while we did not reboot the server, we waited a bit, failed rebuilding a second time with the same error message `invalid record length at`, but now the update process seems to be working when trying a third time. The server has enough disk space, but is currently a bit under pressure I/O-wise.

Maybe this helps others who may be running into the same situation. From this experience, we would advise to a) mitigate resource overconsumption on the host system before trying another rebuild, and b) not to give up too early.

With kind regards,  
Andreas.

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