---
title: QUERY_WITH_SAME_ID_IS_ALREADY_RUNNING ClickHouse error
meta:
  description: Learn how to fix the QUERY_WITH_SAME_ID_IS_ALREADY_RUNNING error in ClickHouse and Tinybird. Understand what causes it and see examples of how to resolve it
---

# QUERY_WITH_SAME_ID_IS_ALREADY_RUNNING ClickHouse error

{% callout %}
This error usually means you're trying to run a query with the same ID as one that's already executing. This can happen with concurrent queries or when retrying failed queries too quickly.
{% /callout %}

The `QUERY_WITH_SAME_ID_IS_ALREADY_RUNNING` error in ClickHouse (and Tinybird) happens when you try to execute a query with an ID that's already being processed by the system. This is a concurrency control mechanism to prevent duplicate query execution.

## What causes this error

You'll typically see it when:

* Running the same query multiple times simultaneously
* Retrying a failed query too quickly
* Using the same query ID across multiple concurrent requests
* Having long-running queries that block subsequent identical queries
* Using client libraries that reuse query IDs

## Example scenarios

```sql {% title="Scenario: Concurrent identical queries" %}
-- Query 1 (running)
SELECT COUNT(*) FROM events WHERE timestamp >= now() - INTERVAL 1 HOUR

-- Query 2 (fails - same ID)
SELECT COUNT(*) FROM events WHERE timestamp >= now() - INTERVAL 1 HOUR
```

```sql {% title="Scenario: Quick retry after failure" %}
-- Query fails due to timeout
SELECT * FROM large_table LIMIT 1000000

-- Immediate retry (fails - same ID)
SELECT * FROM large_table LIMIT 1000000
```

## How to fix it

### Wait for the query to complete

The simplest solution is to wait for the original query to finish:

```sql {% title="Check running queries" %}
SELECT query_id, query, status
FROM system.processes
WHERE query LIKE '%your_query_pattern%'
```

### Use different query IDs

If your client supports it, generate unique query IDs:

```sql {% title="Example with unique ID" %}
-- Client should generate unique query_id for each request
SELECT query_id, query FROM system.processes
```

### Generate unique query IDs

Use unique query IDs instead of random elements:

```sql {% title="Use unique query ID" %}
-- Set a unique query ID
SET query_id = 'unique_id_123'
SELECT COUNT(*) FROM events WHERE user_id > 0
```

### Use query hints

Some clients allow you to specify query hints:

```sql {% title="Use query hint for unique ID" %}
SELECT /*+ QUERY_ID('unique_id_123') */
       COUNT(*) FROM events
```

## Common patterns and solutions

### Long-running queries

For queries that take a long time to complete:

```sql {% title="Check for long-running queries" %}
SELECT query_id, query, elapsed, status
FROM system.processes
ORDER BY elapsed DESC
LIMIT 10
```

### Kill conflicting queries

If you need to stop the conflicting query:

```sql {% title="Kill specific query" %}
KILL QUERY WHERE query_id = 'your_query_id'
```

### Use query timeouts

Set appropriate timeouts to prevent long-running queries:

```sql {% title="Set query timeout" %}
SET max_execution_time = 300  -- 5 minutes
SELECT * FROM large_table
```

### Implement retry logic

Add delays between retries:

```sql {% title="Retry with delay" %}
-- Wait 5 seconds before retry
SELECT sleep(5);
SELECT COUNT(*) FROM events
```

## Advanced solutions

### Using connection pooling

Configure your client to use connection pooling:

```sql {% title="Connection pool configuration" %}
-- Configure connection pool in your client
-- This helps manage concurrent connections
```

### Query deduplication

Implement query deduplication in your application:

```sql {% title="Application-level deduplication" %}
-- Check if query is already running before executing
-- Use unique identifiers for each query instance
```

### Monitoring query execution

Set up monitoring for query execution:

```sql {% title="Monitor query execution" %}
SELECT
    query_id,
    query,
    status,
    elapsed,
    read_rows,
    read_bytes
FROM system.processes
WHERE status = 'Running'
```

## Tinybird-specific notes

In Tinybird, this error often occurs when:

* Running the same query multiple times in quick succession
* Using the same query ID across different API calls
* Having long-running queries in the Query Builder
* Using Materialized Views that take a long time to build

To debug in Tinybird:

1. Check the Query Builder for running queries
2. Wait for long-running queries to complete
3. Use different query parameters to make queries unique
4. Implement proper retry logic in your applications

### Tinybird-specific notes

{% callout type="tip" %}
By default, Tinybird sets a unique query ID for each request. This error mainly occurs when:
* Explicit query_id is provided
* PRIMARY KEY deduplication is used
* Using the same query_id across multiple API calls
{% /callout %}

**REST API**: When using the REST API, pass the `X-ClickHouse-Query-Id` header if you need idempotency; otherwise let the client generate unique IDs.

**UI Console**: In the Tinybird UI, you can see running queries in the console; there's no need to kill queries via raw SQL.

## Best practices

### Query management

* Use unique query IDs when possible
* Implement proper retry logic with exponential backoff
* Monitor query execution times
* Set appropriate timeouts for different query types

### Concurrency handling

* Limit concurrent queries when necessary
* Use connection pooling effectively
* Implement query queuing for high-load scenarios
* Monitor system resources during query execution

### Error handling

* Implement proper error handling for this specific error
* Add delays between retries
* Log query conflicts for debugging
* Use circuit breakers for repeated failures

## See also

* [ClickHouse Query Management](/sql-reference)
* [Working with Large Datasets](/forward/work-with-data/optimize)
* [Common function errors](/sql-reference/clickhouse-errors/TOO_MANY_ROWS_OR_BYTES)