How do I troubleshoot InsufficientInstanceCapacity errors when I start or launch an EC2 instance?

Resolution

If AWS doesn't have enough available On-Demand capacity to complete your request, then you receive the following error:

"An error occurred (InsufficientInstanceCapacity) when calling the RunInstances operation (reached max retries: 4). We currently do not have sufficient capacity in the Availability Zone you requested."

Troubleshoot the error

To troubleshoot the InsufficientInstanceCapacity error, use the following options:

• Wait a few minutes, and then submit your request again.
• Submit a new request with fewer instances.
• If you're launching an instance, then submit a new request, but don't specify an Availability Zone.
  Note: If you launch the instance in a non-default VPC, then select a subnet in a different Availability Zone.
• If you're launching an instance, then submit a new request for a different instance type.
  Note: You can resize the instance after launch.

You might receive an insufficient capacity error if you launch the instance into a cluster placement group. For more information, see Placement groups for your Amazon EC2 instances.

Move the instance

If you continue to receive the error, then move the instance to another Availability Zone.

Avoid insufficient capacity errors on critical machines

To reserve capacity for critical machines, it's a best practice to create On-Demand Capacity Reservations in advance. Complete the following steps:

1. Create the Capacity Reservation in an Availability Zone.
2. Launch critical instances into your Capacity Reservation. You can view real-time Capacity Reservation usage, and launch instances into it as needed.

Note: If there isn't enough capacity, or you exceed your On-Demand Instance quota, then you can't create a Capacity Reservation. For more information, see Limitations.

Related information

Why can't I start or launch my EC2 instance?