How to fix the Oracle error ORA-01096: program version (string) incompatible with instance (string)?

In this post, you’ll learn more about the Oracle ErrorORA-01096: program version (string) incompatible with instance (string) with the details on why you receive this error and the possible solution to fix it.

Oracle Error Description

ORA-01096: program version (string) incompatible with instance (string)

Reason for the Error ORA-01096: program version (string) incompatible with instance (string)

A program is trying to connect to an instance using a different version of code than the database was started with. This is not allowed.

How to fix the Error ORA-01096: program version (string) incompatible with instance (string) ?

You can fix this error in Oracle by following the below steps

Either relink the program with the same version as the database or restart the database using the old version of code.