Informix Error -9473: Connection to database failed.

Reasons / Common Causes

-9473 fires when a server-internal connection to a database fails — per the official guidance.

1. The target database not existing, per the official guidance — the first named cause.
2. Missing required access permissions on the database, per the official guidance — the second named cause.

Solutions / Resolution

1. Make sure the database exists, per the official guidance.
2. Make sure the connecting user has all required access permissions, per the official guidance.

Examples

Checking database existence

SELECT name FROM sysmaster:sysdatabases WHERE name = 'mydb';

Diagnostic Checks

1. Check the database's existence in sysmaster:sysdatabases and the connecting user's permissions, correcting whichever is at fault.

Related Errors / Related Topics

• -9471 — "Database server connection failed." A related internal connection error, general/unexplained rather than tied to database existence/permissions.
• -9474 — "Could not connect to database (%s)." A related internal connection error, naming the target database.

A connection to the database failed because it doesn't exist or lacks required permissions — check both.