EC2 InstanceLimitExceeded error when attempting to launch a new EC2 instance.

The requested instance cannot be launched because it would exceed the user's EC2 instance limit.

Understanding Amazon EC2

Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) is a web service that provides resizable compute capacity in the cloud. It is designed to make web-scale cloud computing easier for developers. With EC2, you can launch virtual servers, configure security and networking, and manage storage.

Recognizing the InstanceLimitExceeded Symptom

When attempting to launch a new EC2 instance, you may encounter the InstanceLimitExceeded error. This error indicates that the requested instance cannot be launched because it would exceed your current EC2 instance limit.

What You Might Observe

Typically, this error will appear as a message in the AWS Management Console or as an error response when using the AWS CLI or SDKs. The message will explicitly state that the instance limit has been exceeded.

Details About the InstanceLimitExceeded Issue

The InstanceLimitExceeded error is a common issue for users who are scaling their applications or experimenting with different instance types. AWS imposes limits on the number of instances you can run per region to prevent overuse of resources and ensure fair usage among customers.

Understanding EC2 Limits

Each AWS account has default limits on the number of instances that can be launched per region. These limits vary based on the instance type and are designed to prevent resource overuse. You can view your current limits in the EC2 Limits page in the AWS Management Console.

Steps to Resolve the InstanceLimitExceeded Issue

To resolve this issue, you have a couple of options:

Request a Limit Increase

  1. Navigate to the AWS Support Center.
  2. Select Service Limit Increase and choose EC2 Instances as the limit type.
  3. Specify the region and instance type for which you need a limit increase.
  4. Submit your request and wait for AWS to process it. This may take a few hours to a couple of days.

Terminate Unused Instances

  1. Review your running instances in the EC2 Instances page.
  2. Identify any instances that are no longer needed.
  3. Select the instances and choose Actions > Instance State > Terminate.
  4. Confirm the termination to free up capacity.

Conclusion

By understanding your current EC2 limits and managing your instances effectively, you can avoid the InstanceLimitExceeded error. Regularly reviewing your usage and requesting limit increases when necessary will ensure that your applications can scale smoothly.

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