PostgreSQL server stuck in Starting state (ServerBusyWithOtherOperation)

Question

Hi team,

My Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Server (nuvai-prod-platform-postgres in resource group nuvai-prod-fresh-rg) is currently stuck in the "Starting" state.

Any attempt to run stop or restart operations fails with the following error: ServerBusyWithOtherOperation

Since control-plane operations are blocked, I am unable to resolve this via the Azure portal or CLI. Could someone please help look into this or force-clear the stuck operation lock?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi ,

Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

This typically happens when a long-running or failed internal control plane operation (start/scale/patch/backup) leaves the server in a locked state, so all subsequent actions return ServerBusyWithOtherOperation. You cannot force clear this from the customer side. First, check Activity Log for any ongoing or failed operations and wait ~15 to 30 minutes if something is still in progress. If it remains stuck, this is a backend issue and requires Microsoft intervention to clear the lock or reset the server state. Raise a critical Azure support ticket with server name, region, and timestamp, explicitly asking to “terminate/clear the stuck control plane operation.” As a temporary mitigation (if downtime is critical), consider restoring to a new server from the latest backup or enabling a read replica if already configured.

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