How to fix PostgreSQL flexible server stuck in Dropping state

Question

How to fix PostgreSQL flexible server stuck in Dropping state

Arnaud de Bossoreille 20

Hi, I've got a server stuck in Dropping state. I tried to delete it and it never succeeded.

If I try to delete it either from the portal or with the CLI, it says the resource does not exist.

If I try to create it again it says there is already a resource with that name.

I also tried deleting the resource group as suggested in another question but it didn't work.

It looks like some monitoring tool can connect to it and retrieve CPU consumption.

How can I get rid of it?

Adithya Prasad K 1,370 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-05-28T15:35:49.3666667+00:00
Hi Arnaud de Bossoreille ,

I understand that dealing with a PostgreSQL flexible server stuck in the "Dropping" state can be frustrating. Here are a few steps that might help resolve the issue:
1. Check the Activity Log
Start by going to the Azure portal and reviewing the Activity Log. Filter the entries to look for any records related to your server, especially the "Delete PostgreSQL Server" operation. This should provide insights into why the deletion may have failed.
2. Restore the Dropped Server
If your server still appears in the Activity Log and you have its resource ID, you might be able to restore it using the Azure Database for PostgreSQL REST API. Here’s what you need to do:

Locate the resource ID and timestamp from the JSON output in the Activity Log.

Use the "Create Server" REST API with the necessary parameters, including ___location, point in time, and resource ID.

Keep in mind that restoration must be done within five days of the deletion.

3. Consider Using a Unique Name
If you’ve been attempting to recreate the same server name, conflicts could be preventing the operation from succeeding. Trying a different server name might resolve the issue.

Hopefully, these steps help! If you encounter any errors or need further troubleshooting, feel free to share the details requested in the private message, and I’ll do my best to assist you.
Arnaud de Bossoreille 20 Reputation points

2025-05-28T16:35:09.2566667+00:00

Hi @Adithya Prasad K ,

On 1. The first deletion attempt was started, then accepted, and never ended. Is still active after 3h? That would be surprising. The other failed attempts are because, as I said, the resource does not exist according to the system.

On 2. I want to entirely delete it so that I can use my script to restore another server in place. And if I want to restore this other server, I get "Specified server name is already used."

On 3. That is not what I want to do.

I am blocked, can you help me delete the server in wrong state entirely please?
Arnaud de Bossoreille 20 Reputation points

2025-05-28T16:45:53.4666667+00:00

Also, I see in other questions:

From experience so far, when PostgreSQL Flexible Servers are stuck in "Dropping" state due to backend corruption, only Microsoft Internal can fix this.
Arnaud de Bossoreille 20 Reputation points

2025-05-28T16:58:36.59+00:00

Also, I see the deletion log that never ended is linked to hundreds of "Get PostgreSQL server List" logs with the same correlation ID and still "Running". Hope this helps.
Saraswathi Devadula 4,765 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-06-02T02:59:20.2866667+00:00

Hi Arnaud de Bossoreille ,

Just checking in to see if the below answer helped. If this answers your query, do click Accept Answer and Yes for was this answer helpful. And, if you have any further query do let us know.
nico 20 Reputation points

2025-06-05T12:33:05.8866667+00:00

I have the exact same issue, so I understand I need to have it fixed by MS Azure support and there's nothing I can do. However, if I don't have a support plan, I cannot open a technical ticket and thus can not get rid of the resource?!
Saraswathi Devadula 4,765 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-06-05T12:35:48.7433333+00:00

Hello nico

I completely understand your concern. I kindly request you to please share your in detail concerns in new Q&A post, which will help me to resolve your issue.
nico 20 Reputation points

2025-06-05T12:43:19.03+00:00

Here you go: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2281412/how-to-fix-postgresql-flexible-server-stuck-in-dro

Accepted answer

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Your answer

Adithya Prasad K 1,370 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-05-28T15:35:49.3666667+00:00

Hi Arnaud de Bossoreille ,

I understand that dealing with a PostgreSQL flexible server stuck in the "Dropping" state can be frustrating. Here are a few steps that might help resolve the issue:
1. Check the Activity Log
Start by going to the Azure portal and reviewing the Activity Log. Filter the entries to look for any records related to your server, especially the "Delete PostgreSQL Server" operation. This should provide insights into why the deletion may have failed.
2. Restore the Dropped Server
If your server still appears in the Activity Log and you have its resource ID, you might be able to restore it using the Azure Database for PostgreSQL REST API. Here’s what you need to do:

Locate the resource ID and timestamp from the JSON output in the Activity Log.

Use the "Create Server" REST API with the necessary parameters, including ___location, point in time, and resource ID.

Keep in mind that restoration must be done within five days of the deletion.

3. Consider Using a Unique Name
If you’ve been attempting to recreate the same server name, conflicts could be preventing the operation from succeeding. Trying a different server name might resolve the issue.

Hopefully, these steps help! If you encounter any errors or need further troubleshooting, feel free to share the details requested in the private message, and I’ll do my best to assist you.
Arnaud de Bossoreille 20 Reputation points

2025-05-28T16:35:09.2566667+00:00

Hi @Adithya Prasad K ,

On 1. The first deletion attempt was started, then accepted, and never ended. Is still active after 3h? That would be surprising. The other failed attempts are because, as I said, the resource does not exist according to the system.

On 2. I want to entirely delete it so that I can use my script to restore another server in place. And if I want to restore this other server, I get "Specified server name is already used."

On 3. That is not what I want to do.

I am blocked, can you help me delete the server in wrong state entirely please?
Arnaud de Bossoreille 20 Reputation points

2025-05-28T16:45:53.4666667+00:00

Also, I see in other questions:

From experience so far, when PostgreSQL Flexible Servers are stuck in "Dropping" state due to backend corruption, only Microsoft Internal can fix this.
Arnaud de Bossoreille 20 Reputation points

2025-05-28T16:58:36.59+00:00

Also, I see the deletion log that never ended is linked to hundreds of "Get PostgreSQL server List" logs with the same correlation ID and still "Running". Hope this helps.
Saraswathi Devadula 4,765 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-06-02T02:59:20.2866667+00:00

Hi Arnaud de Bossoreille ,

Just checking in to see if the below answer helped. If this answers your query, do click Accept Answer and Yes for was this answer helpful. And, if you have any further query do let us know.
nico 20 Reputation points

2025-06-05T12:33:05.8866667+00:00

I have the exact same issue, so I understand I need to have it fixed by MS Azure support and there's nothing I can do. However, if I don't have a support plan, I cannot open a technical ticket and thus can not get rid of the resource?!
Saraswathi Devadula 4,765 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-06-05T12:35:48.7433333+00:00

Hello nico

I completely understand your concern. I kindly request you to please share your in detail concerns in new Q&A post, which will help me to resolve your issue.
nico 20 Reputation points

2025-06-05T12:43:19.03+00:00

Here you go: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2281412/how-to-fix-postgresql-flexible-server-stuck-in-dro

Answer 1

Saraswathi Devadula 4,765 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi Arnaud de Bossoreille ,

Following up on the discussion, the Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Server in the Azure portal is currently stuck in the dropping state.

As mentioned, we attempted to drop the server from the backend.

I hope this has been helpful!

Your feedback is important so please take a moment to accept answers. If you still have questions, please let us know what is needed in the comments so the question can be answered. Thank you for helping to improve Microsoft Q&A!

If this answers your query, do click Accept Answer and Upvote for was this answer helpful.

Arnaud de Bossoreille 20 Reputation points

2025-06-02T10:28:21.7633333+00:00

My issue was fixed by Microsoft staff, with private messages, because there was no other way.

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How to fix PostgreSQL flexible server stuck in Dropping state

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