How to use REST API to start Azure VM

Question

I am looking for a solution to start my Azure VM by using REST API

Answer 1

Hi,

You may use below Start REST API call to start Azure VM. There are code samples on the below page for several different languages. Which language do you plan to use?

Virtual Machines - Start

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/rest/api/compute/virtual-machines/start?view=rest-compute-2025-02-01&tabs=HTTP

Please click Accept Answer and upvote if the above was helpful.

Thanks.

-TP

Answer 2

Hi Forrest Wu,

Prerequisites: Azure subscription, VM resource(Details: SubscriptionID, resourceGroupName, vmName), Service Principal or Managed Identity with the required permissions, Access Token (Via Azure Active Directory).

Get an Access Token ensure that you include the correct authentication header in your request. You can use Azure AD to get the necessary bearer token.

Request:

POST https://login.microsoftonline.com/{tenantId}/oauth2/token
Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded

grant_type=client_credentials
&client_id={clientId}
&client_secret={clientSecret}
&resource=https://management.azure.com/

You'll receive a token in the access_token field.

Request to start a VM

POST https://management.azure.com/subscriptions/{subscriptionId}/resourceGroups/{resourceGroupName}/providers/Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/{vmName}/start?api-version=2024-03-01
Headers:
Authorization: Bearer {access_token}
Content-Type: application/json

Body:

Empty (none required for this operation).

Example with curl:

curl -X POST \
"https://management.azure.com/subscriptions/{subscriptionId}/resourceGroups/{resourceGroupName}/providers/Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/{vmName}/start?api-version=2024-03-01" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer {access_token}" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json"

Response you will get a 202 Accepted response indicating the start operation was initiated.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/rest/api/compute/virtual-machines/start?view=rest-compute-2025-02-01&tabs=HTTP

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/identity-platform/v2-oauth2-client-creds-grant-flow

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Thank You.