Azure Database for PostgreSQL Flexible Server: Region Support and Capacity Issues — SkuNotAvailable Error

Question

Problem description

I am unable to create a new Azure Database for PostgreSQL flexible server in the East US 2 region using the Azure CLI. Despite the SKU Standard_B1ms appearing available in the region, the deployment fails with the error: 'SkuNotAvailable: Specified SKU is not supported in this region.' I need to understand why this SKU is not supported during deployment, even though it is listed as available, and how to resolve this issue to proceed with my server creation.

Environment

Azure Database for PostgreSQL flexible server in East US 2, using Burstable tier, SKU Standard_B1ms, PostgreSQL 16, deployment via Azure CLI / ARM.

What I've already tried

I attempted to create the server using Azure CLI with the specified SKU and region. I verified SKU availability using the command 'az postgres flexible-server list-skus -l eastus2', which listed Standard_B1ms as available in zones 1, 2, and 3. Despite this, the create operation failed with the 'SkuNotAvailable' error. I also confirmed that the Microsoft.DBforPostgreSQL resource provider is registered in my subscription. No other troubleshooting steps have been documented.

Current status

The last documented attempt to create the server in East US 2 with the specified SKU and configuration failed with the 'SkuNotAvailable' error. I am seeking guidance on understanding regional capacity constraints, verifying real-time capacity availability, and how to proceed to successfully create the server in the desired region and SKU.

Answer 1

Hi @Alan Rotenberg

This one confuses a lot of people. list-skus shows what the region supports in general, but it doesn't reflect restrictions on your specific subscription. East US 2 is a busy region, and Azure often limits new deployments there for certain subscription types (new, trial, credit-based or sponsored ones especially). So the SKU is "available" in the region but not enabled for your subscription, which is what SkuNotAvailable is telling you.

The fix is to ask for access through a quota request:

1. In the portal, go to Help + support > Create a support request.
2. Issue type: Service and subscription limits (quotas).
3. Quota type: Azure Database for PostgreSQL flexible server.
4. In Additional details, set Location to East US 2 and mention you need the Burstable tier (Standard_B1ms), and paste the exact SkuNotAvailable error.
5. Submit. These are usually handled within 24 to 48 hours, and quota requests don't need a paid support plan.

If you can't wait, a quick test is to retry the same command with -l centralus or -l eastus. If it works there, that confirms it's a region restriction on the subscription and not something in your CLI parameters.

What kind of subscription is this on, pay-as-you-go or something like a free trial or credits?

If this resolved your issue, please consider accepting it as the answer. If the request gets denied or another region fails too, let me know and I'll be happy to keep helping.

Reference:

• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/postgresql/flexible-server/how-to-request-quota-increase