---
title: "Troubleshooting"
description: "Diagnose and resolve Pangolin Kubernetes deployment issues."
---

This page covers troubleshooting Pangolin Kubernetes deployments across Helm, Kustomize, Argo CD, and Flux workflows.

Start with the core checks, then use the section that matches the symptom.

## Core diagnostics

Set the namespace and release name used by your installation:

```bash
export PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE=pangolin
export PANGOLIN_RELEASE=pangolin
```

### Helm diagnostics

Check the release:

```bash
helm status "$PANGOLIN_RELEASE" --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
helm history "$PANGOLIN_RELEASE" --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
helm get values "$PANGOLIN_RELEASE" --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" --all
```

Render the chart locally with your values file:

```bash
helm repo update fossorial

helm template "$PANGOLIN_RELEASE" fossorial/pangolin \
  --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" \
  --values values-pangolin.yaml
```

Preview an upgrade:

```bash
helm upgrade "$PANGOLIN_RELEASE" fossorial/pangolin \
  --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" \
  --values values-pangolin.yaml \
  --dry-run
```

<Note>
`helm lint charts/pangolin` is only useful when you are working inside the Helm chart repository. For normal installs, use `helm template` and `helm upgrade --dry-run`.
</Note>

### Kubernetes diagnostics

Check workloads and events:

```bash
kubectl get pods --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
kubectl get deploy,statefulset,job,cronjob --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
kubectl get events --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" --sort-by=.lastTimestamp
```

Inspect a pod:

```bash
kubectl describe pod <pod-name> --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
kubectl logs <pod-name> --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" --all-containers --tail=200
```

Check services, PVCs, and policies:

```bash
kubectl get svc,pvc,secret,configmap --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
kubectl get networkpolicy --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
```

### Traefik diagnostics

In controller mode, the chart uses Traefik CRDs such as `IngressRoute`.

Check whether Traefik CRDs are installed:

```bash
kubectl get crd | grep traefik
```

Check rendered or applied Traefik resources:

```bash
kubectl get ingressroute --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
kubectl describe ingressroute <name> --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
```

Depending on your Traefik setup, also check:

```bash
kubectl get middleware,tlsoption,traefikservice --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
```

<Note>
`kubectl get ingress` is only useful if your selected deployment mode renders standard Kubernetes Ingress resources. In controller mode, use `IngressRoute`.
</Note>

### Database diagnostics

If you use CloudNativePG, first check that the CRD exists:

```bash
kubectl get crd | grep postgresql.cnpg.io
```

Then check CNPG resources:

```bash
kubectl get cluster --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
kubectl describe cluster <cluster-name> --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
kubectl get pods --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" | grep -E 'pangolin-db|postgres'
kubectl get secret --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" | grep -E 'pangolin-db|postgres'
```

If you use external PostgreSQL, verify the connection Secret:

```bash
kubectl get secret <connection-secret-name> --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
kubectl describe secret <connection-secret-name> --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
```

Do not decode and paste database credentials into logs, screenshots, or issue reports.

## Common issues and solutions

<AccordionGroup>

  <Accordion title="Gerbil fails during the first install">

**Symptoms**

* Gerbil pod crashes during a fresh install.
* Logs mention missing setup data, missing exit node, or tunnel configuration not being ready.
* Pangolin itself is not initialized yet.

**Cause**

On first install, Gerbil may start before Pangolin has completed the initial setup. The chart supports `gerbil.startupMode` for this case.

**Resolution**

Use delayed startup for the first install:

```yaml
gerbil:
  startupMode: delayed
```

Install or upgrade with the values file:

```bash
helm upgrade --install "$PANGOLIN_RELEASE" fossorial/pangolin \
  --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" \
  --values values-pangolin.yaml
```

After Pangolin setup is complete, switch Gerbil to normal startup:

```bash
helm upgrade "$PANGOLIN_RELEASE" fossorial/pangolin \
  --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" \
  --reuse-values \
  --set gerbil.startupMode=normal
```

Check Gerbil resources:

```bash
kubectl get pods,svc,pvc --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" \
  -l app.kubernetes.io/name=gerbil
```

</Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Gerbil is blocked by Pod Security Admission">

**Symptoms**

* Gerbil pod does not start.
* Events mention Pod Security Admission.
* Events mention forbidden capabilities.
* Logs or events mention `NET_ADMIN`.

**Cause**

Gerbil requires the `NET_ADMIN` Linux capability for WireGuard interface management. A namespace using a restricted Pod Security profile can block this.

**Resolution**

Check namespace labels:

```bash
kubectl get namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" --show-labels
```

For a namespace running Gerbil, use a policy profile that allows the required capability. Example:

```bash
kubectl label namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" \
  pod-security.kubernetes.io/enforce=privileged \
  pod-security.kubernetes.io/warn=baseline \
  pod-security.kubernetes.io/audit=restricted \
  --overwrite
```

Then restart the affected pods:

```bash
kubectl rollout restart deploy --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
```

<Warning>
Do not use a restricted Pod Security profile for Gerbil unless you have validated the selected chart mode and security context. Removing `NET_ADMIN` breaks WireGuard management.
</Warning>

</Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Dashboard is not reachable through IngressRoute">

**Symptoms**

* The dashboard URL does not load.
* Browser shows timeout, bad gateway, 404, or TLS error.
* API path `/api/v1` fails while the dashboard path works, or the reverse.

**Common causes**

* DNS points to the wrong load balancer or ingress endpoint.
* Traefik CRDs are missing.
* Traefik controller is not watching the namespace or selector labels.
* `IngressRoute` host does not match the dashboard URL.
* API route was changed and no longer matches `PathPrefix(/api/v1)`.
* TLS resolver or TLS Secret is misconfigured.

**Checks**

Check DNS:

```bash
nslookup pangolin.example.com
```

Check Traefik CRDs:

```bash
kubectl get crd | grep traefik
```

Check IngressRoute resources:

```bash
kubectl get ingressroute --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
kubectl describe ingressroute <name> --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
```

Check the rendered values:

```bash
helm get values "$PANGOLIN_RELEASE" --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" --all | grep -A30 ingressRoute
```

Check Traefik logs. Adjust the namespace and label selector to your Traefik installation:

```bash
kubectl logs --namespace traefik -l app.kubernetes.io/name=traefik --tail=100
```

Temporary local check for the dashboard/UI service port:

```bash
kubectl port-forward --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" svc/pangolin 8080:3002
```

Then open:

```text
http://localhost:8080
```

<Note>
The dashboard/UI port is `3002`. The API/external port is `3000`. Port-forward `3002` when checking the dashboard locally.
</Note>

</Accordion>

  <Accordion title="TLS certResolver and secretName conflict">

**Symptoms**

* `IngressRoute` is created but TLS does not work.
* Traefik logs mention TLS configuration problems.
* Certificate is not issued or the TLS Secret is not found.

**Cause**

The dashboard `IngressRoute` TLS configuration should use either a Traefik certificate resolver or an existing TLS Secret.

**Resolution**

Use Traefik ACME certificate resolver:

```yaml
pangolin:
  ingressRoute:
    dashboard:
      tls:
        enabled: true
        certResolver: letsencrypt
        secretName: ""
```

Or use an existing TLS Secret:

```yaml
pangolin:
  ingressRoute:
    dashboard:
      tls:
        enabled: true
        certResolver: ""
        secretName: pangolin-dashboard-tls
```

Verify the Secret if using `secretName`:

```bash
kubectl get secret pangolin-dashboard-tls --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
```

<Note>
`certResolver` is a Traefik ACME resolver setting. It is not a cert-manager issuer reference.
</Note>

</Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Newt cannot reach Gerbil WireGuard ports">

**Symptoms**

* Newt shows repeated connection or tunnel errors.
* Tunnel traffic does not pass.
* WireGuard UDP ports are unreachable from the Newt location.

**Common causes**

* `pangolin.config.gerbil.base_endpoint` points to the wrong host.
* Gerbil Service is not exposed as expected.
* External firewall blocks UDP traffic.
* NetworkPolicy blocks the required traffic.
* `pangolin.config.gerbil.start_port` and `gerbil.ports.wg1` are not aligned.
* `pangolin.config.gerbil.clients_start_port` and `gerbil.ports.wg2` are not aligned.

**Checks**

Check Gerbil Service:

```bash
kubectl get svc --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" \
  -l app.kubernetes.io/name=gerbil

kubectl describe svc <gerbil-service-name> --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
```

Check Gerbil values:

```bash
helm get values "$PANGOLIN_RELEASE" --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" --all | grep -A30 gerbil
```

Check NetworkPolicies:

```bash
kubectl get networkpolicy --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
kubectl describe networkpolicy --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
```

Verify external firewall rules for the configured UDP ports.

</Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Gerbil is behind reverse proxy or UDP gateway and tunnels fail">

**Symptoms**

* Newt peers do not establish stable handshakes.
* Tunnel traffic drops even though Gerbil pods are healthy.
* Logs show connection resets or malformed upstream traffic.

**Cause**

Proxy protocol handling is inconsistent between the upstream hop and Gerbil.

<Info>
If Gerbil is exposed through a reverse proxy or UDP gateway, keep proxy protocol settings aligned end-to-end. Do not enable proxy protocol on the upstream hop unless Gerbil is configured to accept it.
</Info>

**Checks**

Check endpoint and port alignment:

```bash
helm get values "$PANGOLIN_RELEASE" --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" --all | grep -A40 gerbil
```

Check Gerbil logs:

```bash
kubectl logs --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" \
  -l app.kubernetes.io/name=gerbil \
  --tail=200
```

Check Service exposure:

```bash
kubectl get svc --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" \
  -l app.kubernetes.io/name=gerbil -o wide
```

</Accordion>

  <Accordion title="External database mode missing or invalid Secret">

**Symptoms**

* Pangolin pod crashes.
* Logs mention database connection errors.
* Events mention missing Secret or missing Secret key.

**Cause**

`database.mode=external` needs a valid database connection Secret unless the chart is configured to generate one from values.

**Resolution**

Create a connection Secret:

```bash
kubectl create secret generic pangolin-db-connection \
  --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" \
  --from-literal=connectionString='postgresql://pangolin:password@postgres.example.com:5432/pangolin?sslmode=require'
```

Reference it in values:

```yaml
database:
  mode: external
  connection:
    existingSecretName: pangolin-db-connection
    existingSecretKey: connectionString
```

Check the Secret:

```bash
kubectl describe secret pangolin-db-connection --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
```

<Warning>
Do not put database passwords directly in values files for production. Use an existing Secret or your normal secret-management workflow.
</Warning>

</Accordion>

  <Accordion title="CloudNativePG cluster does not provision">

**Symptoms**

* CNPG Cluster resource is missing.
* CNPG pods do not start.
* Pangolin cannot connect to the generated CNPG database.
* Secret such as `pangolin-db-app` is missing.

**Common causes**

* CloudNativePG CRDs/operator are not installed.
* `cnpg-cluster.enabled` is false when you expected the chart to create a cluster.
* `cnpg-operator.enabled` is false and no operator exists.
* `database.cloudnativepg.cluster.name` does not match the CNPG cluster name.
* StorageClass or PVC provisioning fails.

**Checks**

Check CRDs:

```bash
kubectl get crd | grep postgresql.cnpg.io
```

Check CNPG operator pods:

```bash
kubectl get pods --all-namespaces | grep -i cnpg
```

Check CNPG Cluster:

```bash
kubectl get cluster --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
kubectl describe cluster pangolin-db --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
```

Check PVCs and Secrets:

```bash
kubectl get pvc --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
kubectl get secret --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" | grep pangolin-db
```

Expected naming when using the default example:

```yaml
database:
  cloudnativepg:
    cluster:
      name: pangolin-db

cnpg-cluster:
  enabled: true
  fullnameOverride: pangolin-db
```

</Accordion>

  <Accordion title="NetworkPolicy blocks DNS, database, controller, or tunnel traffic">

**Symptoms**

* DNS lookups fail.
* Pangolin cannot connect to the database.
* Controller cannot reach the Kubernetes API.
* Gerbil or Newt traffic does not work.
* External services such as SMTP, OIDC, or webhooks time out.

**Cause**

The chart can render NetworkPolicies. If your CNI enforces them, missing egress or ingress rules can break required paths.

**Checks**

```bash
kubectl get networkpolicy --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
kubectl describe networkpolicy --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
```

Check whether DNS is allowed:

```yaml
networkPolicy:
  dns:
    enabled: true
```

Check database egress:

```yaml
networkPolicy:
  database:
    enabled: true
    port: 5432
```

Check controller API access:

```yaml
networkPolicy:
  controller:
    egress:
      enabled: true
      kubernetesApi:
        enabled: true
        port: 443
```

For external integrations, add scoped egress rules for the required services instead of allowing broad egress.

For a temporary isolation test, disable NetworkPolicy and re-apply:

```yaml
networkPolicy:
  enabled: false
```

If this fixes the issue, re-enable policies and add the missing rules.

</Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Pangolin pod is CrashLoopBackOff or Pending">

**Symptoms**

* Pangolin pod restarts repeatedly.
* Pod stays Pending.
* Readiness never becomes true.

**Checks**

Find the pod:

```bash
kubectl get pods --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" \
  -l app.kubernetes.io/name=pangolin
```

Inspect it:

```bash
kubectl describe pod <pod-name> --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
kubectl logs <pod-name> --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" --tail=200
kubectl logs <pod-name> --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" --previous --tail=200
```

Check PVCs:

```bash
kubectl get pvc --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
kubectl describe pvc <pvc-name> --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
```

Common causes:

| Status             | Common causes                                                                                         |
| ------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `CrashLoopBackOff` | Database connection issue, missing Secret, invalid config, startup dependency not ready               |
| `Pending`          | PVC not bound, insufficient resources, node selector/affinity mismatch, Pod Security policy rejection |
| `ImagePullBackOff` | Wrong image override, registry access issue, missing imagePullSecret                                  |

<Note>
Do not assume tools such as `psql`, `curl`, or `dig` are available inside the Pangolin container. Use logs, Events, or a temporary debug pod when needed.
</Note>

Run a temporary debug pod for network tests:

```bash
kubectl run net-debug \
  --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" \
  --rm -it \
  --image=curlimages/curl:latest \
  --restart=Never \
  -- sh
```

</Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Traefik CRDs or resources are missing">

**Symptoms**

* Helm template or install succeeds, but Traefik resources are not reconciled.
* `kubectl get ingressroute` fails with unknown resource type.
* Argo CD or Flux reports missing kind `IngressRoute`.

**Cause**

Controller mode expects Traefik CRDs and a Traefik controller. They must be installed separately or through the bundled dependency when enabled.

**Checks**

```bash
kubectl get crd | grep traefik
kubectl get pods --all-namespaces | grep -i traefik
```

If you want the chart to install the bundled Traefik controller, enable it:

```yaml
deployment:
  type: controller
  installTraefikController: true
```

If Traefik is already installed elsewhere, keep it disabled and make sure the controller watches the namespace and labels used by the Pangolin `IngressRoute`.

</Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Helm upgrade fails or rendered output is unexpected">

**Symptoms**

* `helm upgrade` fails.
* Rendered resources changed unexpectedly.
* Existing resources conflict with chart-managed resources.
* GitOps reports immutable field changes or ownership conflicts.

**Checks**

Render before upgrading:

```bash
helm template "$PANGOLIN_RELEASE" fossorial/pangolin \
  --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" \
  --values values-pangolin.yaml > rendered.yaml
```

Run a server-side dry run:

```bash
kubectl apply -f rendered.yaml --dry-run=server
```

Compare the current live release:

```bash
helm get manifest "$PANGOLIN_RELEASE" --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" > live-release.yaml
diff -u live-release.yaml rendered.yaml
```

Check ownership conflicts:

```bash
kubectl get all --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" -o yaml | grep -E "meta.helm.sh|app.kubernetes.io/managed-by"
```

Avoid `--force` unless you understand which resources will be recreated.

<Warning>
`helm upgrade --force` can delete and recreate resources. That can interrupt traffic and may affect persistent workloads depending on the resource type.
</Warning>

</Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Kustomize patches do not apply">

**Symptoms**

* Kustomize build succeeds but changes are missing.
* Patch target does not match any resource.
* Patch breaks after chart upgrade.

**Checks**

List generated resource names:

```bash
kustomize build base | grep -E "^(kind:|  name:)"
```

Validate the overlay:

```bash
kustomize build overlays/prod
```

Run a server-side dry run:

```bash
kustomize build overlays/prod | kubectl apply -f - --dry-run=server
```

Preview live changes:

```bash
kustomize build overlays/prod | kubectl diff -f -
```

Use modern Kustomize `patches` syntax:

```yaml
patches:
  - path: patches/pangolin-resources.patch.yaml
    target:
      group: apps
      version: v1
      kind: Deployment
      name: pangolin
```

<Note>
For Helm-rendered bases, do not assume resource names. Check the rendered manifests after each chart upgrade.
</Note>

</Accordion>

  <Accordion title="GitOps deployment does not sync">

**Symptoms**

* Argo CD Application is OutOfSync or Degraded.
* Flux HelmRelease or Kustomization is not Ready.
* Resources are missing or constantly reverted.

**Argo CD checks**

```bash
kubectl describe application pangolin --namespace argocd
kubectl logs --namespace argocd deployment/argocd-application-controller --tail=100
argocd app diff pangolin
argocd app sync pangolin
```

**Flux checks**

```bash
flux get sources all --all-namespaces
flux get helmreleases --all-namespaces
flux get kustomizations --all-namespaces
flux logs --all-namespaces --follow
```

Reconcile manually:

```bash
flux reconcile helmrelease pangolin --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
flux reconcile kustomization pangolin --namespace flux-system
```

Common causes:

- chart repository or OCI source not reachable
- wrong chart version
- missing CRDs
- invalid values
- rendered resource ownership conflict
- Secret not available in the expected namespace

</Accordion>

</AccordionGroup>

## Routing issues to the right repository

Use the repository that matches the failing area:

| Area                                                  | Repository          |
| ----------------------------------------------------- | ------------------- |
| Chart templates, values, examples, rendered manifests | `fosrl/helm-charts` |
| Pangolin runtime, API, UI, auth, application behavior | `fosrl/pangolin`    |
| Newt client behavior or connectivity                  | `fosrl/newt`        |
| Documentation                                         | `fosrl/docs-v2`     |

## Before opening an issue, collect

Collect this information before opening an issue:

* chart version
* Pangolin app version
* Kubernetes version
* Helm version
* deployment method: Helm, Kustomize, Argo CD, or Flux
* sanitized values file
* pod logs
* namespace events
* Traefik logs, if routing is involved
* rendered manifests from `helm template` or `kustomize build`
* Helm release status or GitOps sync status
* reproduction steps

Collect basic diagnostics:

```bash
kubectl version
helm version

helm status "$PANGOLIN_RELEASE" --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
helm get values "$PANGOLIN_RELEASE" --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" --all > pangolin-values.yaml
helm get manifest "$PANGOLIN_RELEASE" --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" > pangolin-manifest.yaml

kubectl get pods --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" -o wide > pangolin-pods.txt
kubectl get events --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" --sort-by=.lastTimestamp > pangolin-events.txt
```

Before sharing diagnostics, remove:

* database passwords
* `SERVER_SECRET`
* API keys
* OAuth/OIDC client secrets
* TLS private keys
* internal hostnames, if sensitive

## Useful command reference

```bash
# General cluster info
kubectl cluster-info
kubectl version

# Namespace overview
kubectl get all --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
kubectl get pvc,secret,configmap --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
kubectl get events --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" --sort-by=.lastTimestamp

# Logs
kubectl logs --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" \
  -l app.kubernetes.io/name=pangolin \
  --tail=200

kubectl logs --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" \
  -l app.kubernetes.io/name=gerbil \
  --tail=200

# Dashboard local test
kubectl port-forward --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE" svc/pangolin 8080:3002

# Traefik resources
kubectl get ingressroute --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"

# Resource usage
kubectl top pod --namespace "$PANGOLIN_NAMESPACE"
kubectl top node
```

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
	<Card title="Pangolin Configuration" href="/self-host/manual/kubernetes/pangolin/configuration" icon="sliders">
		Review Pangolin chart options.
	</Card>
	<Card title="Helm Quick-Start" href="/self-host/manual/kubernetes/pangolin/helm" icon="box">
		Install Pangolin with Helm.
	</Card>
	<Card title="Kustomize Quick-Start" href="/self-host/manual/kubernetes/pangolin/kustomize" icon="layer-group">
		Install Pangolin with rendered manifests and Kustomize overlays.
	</Card>
	<Card title="GitOps Overview" href="/self-host/manual/kubernetes/gitops/overview" icon="code-branch">
		Deploy Pangolin with Argo CD or Flux.
	</Card>
</CardGroup>