---
title: "Shelve or pause an instance"
description: "Learn how to shelve, pause or suspend a Public Cloud instance to temporarily free resources while keeping your IP address, and understand the billing impact of each option"
url: https://docs.ovhcloud.com/en/guides/public-cloud/compute/suspend-or-pause-an-instance
lang: en
lastUpdated: 2026-05-27
---
# Shelve or pause an instance

## Objective

As part of the configuration of a high-availability infrastructure, you may need to cut access to your instances to perform different tests. OpenStack allows you to suspend, pause or shelve your instance. In each case, your IP is maintained.

:::warning
The naming of these options in the OVHcloud Control Panel is different from the naming in OpenStack/Horizon. If you are doing this via the OVHcloud Control Panel, make sure you select the right option.

:::

**This guide explains how to shelve, pause or suspend your instance.**

## Requirements

- An [OVHcloud Public Cloud instance](/en/guides/public-cloud/compute/first-steps-with-public-cloud-instance.md) on **hourly** billing
- Access to the [Horizon interface](/en/guides/public-cloud/cross-functional/introducing-horizon.md)
- Knowledge of [OpenStack API](/en/guides/public-cloud/cross-functional/compute-prepare-openstack-api-environment.md) and [OpenStack variables](/en/guides/public-cloud/cross-functional/compute-set-openstack-environment-variables.md)


***

### OVHcloud Control Panel Access

- **Direct link:** <ManagerLink to="/#/pci/projects">Public Cloud Projects</ManagerLink>
- **Navigation path:** <code className="action">Public Cloud</code> > Select your project

***


## Instructions

:::warning
**Scope:** This guide applies to all Public Cloud instances, regardless of their billing model (hourly or monthly).

**Monthly billing:** An instance that remains shelved for the entire month will not be billed. As soon as the instance is unshelved, even briefly, the full month’s billing applies.

**Note:** As long as the instance is not deleted, any operation will continue to incur instance charges.

:::

The table below allows you to differentiate the options available on your instances. Continue reading this guide by clicking on the option of your choice. We put the terminology used in the **Horizon interface** in brackets.

| Term                                           | Description                                                                                                                          | Billing                               |
| ---------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------- |
| [Suspend (_shelve_)](#shelve-instance)         | Retains the resources and data in your disk by creating a snapshot, all other resources are released. The main IP is also maintained | You are only billed for the snapshot. |
| [Turn off (_suspend_)](#stop-suspend-instance) | Stores the VM state on disk, the resources remain reserved.                                                                          | You are billed at the same rate.      |
| [Pause](#pause-instance)                       | Stores the VM state in RAM, the instance remains frozen.                                                                             | You are billed at the same rate.      |

### Content overview

- [Suspend (_shelve_) an instance](#shelve-instance)
- [Reactivate (_unshelve_) an instance](#unshelve-instance)
- [Turn off (_suspend_) an instance](#stop-suspend-instance)
- [Pause an instance](#pause-instance)

[](#)
### Suspend (_shelve_) an instance

:::danger
Please note that suspending an IOPS or T1/T2-180 instance will result in the loss of data on the NVMe passthrough drives.

Suspending this type of instance leads to its decommissioning from the host, and therefore from the disks in passthrough.

:::

This option releases the resources dedicated to your Public Cloud instance, but the IP address will remain. The data on your local disk will be stored in a snapshot automatically created once the instance is shelved. Data stored in the memory and elsewhere will not be retained.


**From the OVHcloud Control Panel**

In the OVHcloud Control Panel, select your project from the <code className="action">Public Cloud</code> section. Click on <code className="action">Instances</code> in the left side menu.
Click on the <code className="action">⋮</code> button to the right of the instance you want to suspend, then click on <code className="action">Suspend</code>.
![suspend instance](/images/public-cloud/compute/suspend-or-pause-an-instance/suspend_instance_2025.png)In the pop-up window, take note of the message and click on <code className="action">Confirm</code>.
![confirm suspension](/images/public-cloud/compute/suspend-or-pause-an-instance/confirm_suspension_2025.png)A message will appear while the operation is in progress:
![Operation in progress](/images/public-cloud/compute/suspend-or-pause-an-instance/suspension_message_2025.png)Once the process is completed, your instance will now appear as _Suspended_.
![suspended status](/images/public-cloud/compute/suspend-or-pause-an-instance/instance_suspended_2025.png)To view the snapshot, click on <code className="action">Instance Backup</code> underneath the **Compute** tab in the left side menu. A snapshot named _xxxxx-shelved_ will now be visible:
![snapshot tab](/images/public-cloud/compute/suspend-or-pause-an-instance/shelved_backup_2025.png)

**From the Horizon Interface**

To proceed, you need to [log in to the Horizon interface](https://horizon.cloud.ovh.net/auth/login/):
- To log in with OVHcloud Single Sign-On: use the <code className="action">Horizon</code> link in the left-hand menu under "Management Interfaces" after opening your <code className="action">Public Cloud</code> project in the <ManagerLink to="/">OVHcloud Control Panel</ManagerLink>.

- To log in with a specific OpenStack user: open the [Horizon login page](https://horizon.cloud.ovh.net/auth/login/) and enter the [OpenStack user credentials](/en/guides/public-cloud/cross-functional/create-and-delete-a-user.md) previously created, then click on <code className="action">Connect</code>.
If you have deployed instances in different regions, make sure you are in the correct region. You can verify this on the top left corner in the Horizon interface.
![horizon interface](/images/public-cloud/compute/suspend-or-pause-an-instance/firstaccesshorizon.png)Click on the <code className="action">Compute</code> menu on the left side and select <code className="action">Instances</code>. Select <code className="action">Shelve Instance</code> in the drop list for the corresponding instance.
![shelve instance](/images/public-cloud/compute/suspend-or-pause-an-instance/shelveinstancehorizon.png)Once the process is completed, your instance will now appear as _Shelved Offloaded_.
![shelved instance](/images/public-cloud/compute/suspend-or-pause-an-instance/newinstancestatushorizon.png)To view the snapshot, in the <code className="action">Compute</code> menu, click on <code className="action">Images</code>.
![snapshot](/images/public-cloud/compute/suspend-or-pause-an-instance/snapshothorizon.png)

**Using OpenStack/Nova APIs**

Before proceeding, it is recommended that you consult these guides:
- [Prepare the environment to use the OpenStack API](/en/guides/public-cloud/cross-functional/compute-prepare-openstack-api-environment.md)
- [Set OpenStack environment variables](/en/guides/public-cloud/cross-functional/compute-set-openstack-environment-variables.md)
Once your environment is ready, type the following at the command line:
```bash
openstack server shelve <UUID server>

=====================================

nova shelve <UUID server>
```


**From the OVHcloud CLI**

Before proceeding, it is recommended that you consult these guides:
- [Getting started with the OVHcloud CLI](/en/guides/manage-and-operate/cli/getting-started.md)
Type the following command:
```shell
ovhcloud cloud instance shelve <instance_id>
```


[](#)
### Reactivate (_unshelve_) an instance

This option will allow you to re-up your instance so that you can continue using it. Please note that once this is done, the regular billing will resume.

:::danger
**Actions on the snapshot**

Any actions on the snapshot other than _unshelve_ can be very dangerous for your infrastructure in case of misuse. Once you _unshelve_ an instance, the snapshot is automatically deleted. It is not recommended to deploy a new instance from any snapshot created as a result of shelving (suspending) an instance.

OVHcloud is providing you with machines that you are responsible for. We have no access to these machines, and therefore cannot manage them. You are responsible for your own software and security management. If you experience any issues or doubts when it comes to managing, using or securing your server, we recommend that you contact a [specialist service provider](https://partner.ovhcloud.com/en-gb/directory/).
:::


**From the OVHcloud Control Panel**

In the OVHcloud Control Panel, select your project from the <code className="action">Public Cloud</code> section and click on <code className="action">Instances</code> in the left side menu.
Click on the <code className="action">⋮</code> button to the right of the instance, then click on <code className="action">Reactivate</code>.
![reactivate instance](/images/public-cloud/compute/suspend-or-pause-an-instance/reactivate_instance_2025.png)In the pop-up window, take note of the message and click on <code className="action">Confirm</code>.
Once the process is completed, the status of your instance will now appear as _Enabled_.


**From the Horizon Interface**

In the Horizon interface, click on the <code className="action">Compute</code> menu on the left and then select <code className="action">Instances</code>. Select <code className="action">Unshelve Instance</code> in the drop list for the corresponding instance.
![unshelve instance](/images/public-cloud/compute/suspend-or-pause-an-instance/unshelveinstancehorizon.png)Once the process is completed, your instance will now appear as _Active_.


**Using OpenStack/Nova APIs**

Once your environment is ready, type the following at the command line:
```bash
~$ openstack server unshelve <UUID server>

=========================================

~$ nova unshelve <UUID server>
```


**From the OVHcloud CLI**

Type the following command:
```shell
ovhcloud cloud instance unshelve <instance_id>
```


[](#)
### Turn off (_suspend_) an instance

This option shuts down your instance and stores the VM state on disk, including memory.


**From the OVHcloud Control Panel**

In the OVHcloud Control Panel, select your project from the <code className="action">Public Cloud</code> section and click on <code className="action">Instances</code> in the left side menu.
Click on the <code className="action">⋮</code> button to the right of the instance you want to stop, then click on <code className="action">Turn off</code>.
![stop instance](/images/public-cloud/compute/suspend-or-pause-an-instance/turn_off_instance_2025.png)In the pop-up window, take note of the message and click on <code className="action">Confirm</code>.
![stop instance](/images/public-cloud/compute/suspend-or-pause-an-instance/confirm_turn_off.png)Once the process is completed, your instance will now appear as _Off_.
![off status](/images/public-cloud/compute/suspend-or-pause-an-instance/instance_status_off.png)To **resume** the instance, perform the same steps as mentioned above. Click on the <code className="action">⋮</code> button to the right of the instance and select <code className="action">Start</code>. In some cases, you might need to do a cold reboot.
![start instance](/images/public-cloud/compute/suspend-or-pause-an-instance/start_instance_2025.png)Once the process is completed, the status of your instance will now appear as _Enabled_.


**From the Horizon Interface**

In the Horizon interface, click on the <code className="action">Compute</code> menu on the left and then select <code className="action">Instances</code>. Select <code className="action">Suspend Instance</code> in the drop list for the corresponding instance.
![suspend instance Horizon](/images/public-cloud/compute/suspend-or-pause-an-instance/suspendinstancehorizon.png)The confirmation message will appear, indicating that the instance has been suspended.
To **resume** the instance, perform the same steps as mentioned above. In the drop list for the corresponding instance select <code className="action">Resume Instance</code>.


**Using OpenStack/Nova APIs**

Once your environment is ready, type the following at the command line:
```bash
~$ openstack server suspend <UUID server>

=========================================

~$ nova suspend <UUID server>
```
To **resume** the instance, type the following at the command line:
```bash
~$ openstack server unsuspend <UUID server>

=========================================

~$ nova unsuspend <UUID server>
```


**From the OVHcloud CLI**

Type the following command:
```shell
ovhcloud cloud instance stop <instance_id>
```
To **resume** the instance, type the following command:
```shell
ovhcloud cloud instance start <instance_id>
```


[](#)
### Pause an instance

This action is **only** possible in the Horizon interface or via the OpenStack/Nova API. It allows you to _freeze_ your instance.


**From the Horizon Interface**

In the Horizon interface, click on the <code className="action">Compute</code> menu on the left and then select <code className="action">Instances</code>. Select <code className="action">Pause Instance</code> in the drop list for the corresponding instance.
![Pause instance](/images/public-cloud/compute/suspend-or-pause-an-instance/pauseinstancehorizon.png)The confirmation message will appear, indicating that the instance has been paused.
To **unpause** the instance, perform the same steps as mentioned above. In the drop list for the corresponding instance select <code className="action">Resume Instance</code>.


**Using OpenStack/Nova APIs**

Once your environment is ready, type the following at the command line:
```bash
~$ openstack server pause <UUID server>

=========================================

~$ nova pause <UUID server>
```
To **unpause** the instance, type the following at the command line:
```bash
~$ openstack server unpause <UUID server>

=========================================

~$ nova unpause <UUID server>
```


## Go further

[OpenStack documentation](https://docs.openstack.org/ocata/user-guide/cli-stop-and-start-an-instance.html).

Join our [community of users](https://community.ovhcloud.com/).