AVD Scaling Plan turn off Session Host

Question

AVD Scaling Plan turn off Session Host

Kamal Kotecha 20

I have created Azure Virtual Desktop . Host Pool , Session Host and Workspace. Everything works. I have created a Scaling Plan. I have only 1 session host. But the scaling plan will not send message asking users to log off, it wont force users off and it wont turn off Session Host.

Himanshu Shekhar 5,225 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-25T10:41:59.94+00:00
Kamal Kotecha - Thank you for sharing the details.

In Azure Virtual Desktop, this behavior is expected when a host pool has only one session host. Autoscale (Scaling Plan) is designed to be conservative and will not force logoff or shut down the last available session host, as doing so could impact user connectivity. Because there is no additional capacity available to drain sessions to, the scaling plan may skip sending logoff notifications and will not power off the VM.

To see autoscale working as intended (logoff notification, forced sign‑out, and VM shutdown), we recommend having at least two session hosts in the host pool. This allows autoscale to move users off one host and safely deallocate it during ramp‑down.

Additionally, please ensure the following:

The scaling plan is correctly assigned to the host pool

The time zone in the scaling plan matches your region

The Azure Virtual Desktop service principal has Desktop Virtualization Power On/Off Contributor permissions at subscription or VM resource group level

Once these conditions are met and additional capacity is available, autoscale will send logoff notifications and shut down session hosts as per the configured schedule.
Kamal Kotecha 20 Reputation points

2026-03-25T11:41:14.35+00:00

Accepted
Himanshu Shekhar 5,225 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-25T11:48:08.41+00:00

If you have any further queries, let me know. If the information is helpful, please click on Upvote and Accept Answer on it.

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Himanshu Shekhar 5,225 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-25T10:41:59.94+00:00

Kamal Kotecha - Thank you for sharing the details.

In Azure Virtual Desktop, this behavior is expected when a host pool has only one session host. Autoscale (Scaling Plan) is designed to be conservative and will not force logoff or shut down the last available session host, as doing so could impact user connectivity. Because there is no additional capacity available to drain sessions to, the scaling plan may skip sending logoff notifications and will not power off the VM.

To see autoscale working as intended (logoff notification, forced sign‑out, and VM shutdown), we recommend having at least two session hosts in the host pool. This allows autoscale to move users off one host and safely deallocate it during ramp‑down.

Additionally, please ensure the following:

The scaling plan is correctly assigned to the host pool

The time zone in the scaling plan matches your region

The Azure Virtual Desktop service principal has Desktop Virtualization Power On/Off Contributor permissions at subscription or VM resource group level

Once these conditions are met and additional capacity is available, autoscale will send logoff notifications and shut down session hosts as per the configured schedule.
Kamal Kotecha 20 Reputation points

2026-03-25T11:41:14.35+00:00

Accepted
Himanshu Shekhar 5,225 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-25T11:48:08.41+00:00

If you have any further queries, let me know. If the information is helpful, please click on Upvote and Accept Answer on it.

Answer 1

Kamal Kotecha - No Azure Virtual Desktop Scaling Plans cannot force‑logoff users from the last remaining session host.

There is no supported option in Scaling Plans to force users off the final session host.

Autoscale never overrides active user sessions on the last host, even if:

Time zone is correct
RBAC permissions are correct
Scaling plan is correctly assigned

This is expected behavior.

Recommended option here is - This is the only supported way to get:

Logoff notifications
Forced sign‑out
Automatic shutdown during ramp‑down

Autoscale works as intended only when capacity exists to move users.

Note - Azure Virtual Desktop Scaling Plans do not support forcing users to log off from the last remaining session host. This behavior is by design to avoid complete loss of user connectivity.

Autoscale requires at least two session hosts so users can be drained from one host to another during ramp‑down.

If forced logoff is required, this must be handled outside autoscale using session timeout policies or custom automation. The recommended and supported approach is to add a second session host to enable autoscale to function as intended.

Answer 2

Kamal Kotecha 20

Thank you

If All sessions are disconnected then the scaling plan works. and the Last Session host is powered off automatically by the scaling plan.

So I know the time zone is correct and "Desktop Virtualization Power On/Off Contributor permissions" are correct and the scaling plan is correctly assigned to the host pool.

It would be good if I can force the users to be logged off on the last session host. If there is a way I can do that please let me know.

Thank you

Kamal

Kamal Kotecha 20 Reputation points

2026-03-25T11:15:33.67+00:00

Thank you Himanshu

Kamal
Himanshu Shekhar 5,225 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-03-25T11:20:15.1566667+00:00

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AVD Scaling Plan turn off Session Host

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