RDS Database Stayed on stopping state for two hours

Multiple re:Post threads indicate that RDS is designed to automatically take background snapshots, and this process is frequently reported as the cause of such delays.

https://repost.aws/questions/QUHL_fCgsDRBWISSHW-H6gag/longtime-stop-rds

https://repost.aws/questions/QUycdy9fpVTE-rkedSqxQJXg/rds-ms-sql-in-stopping-state-too-long

1. Wait (the most practical approach)

In most reported cases, the instance eventually transitions to the "Stopped" state on its own. Actions such as forced termination are not recommended, as they risk further destabilizing the instance's state.

2. If there is no change after more than 2–3 hours

Since more than two hours have already passed, I recommend opening a support case at this stage. Particularly with Single-AZ configurations, if the situation remains unchanged despite further waiting, there is a possibility that an internal process is genuinely stalled.

When an RDS instance remains in a "stopping" state for an extended period, this typically indicates an underlying issue preventing the normal shutdown process from completing. While the sources provided don't directly address this specific scenario, here are some general troubleshooting steps you can take:

1. Check for any pending maintenance or modifications - Sometimes pending changes can interfere with the stopping process.

2. Review your RDS events - Even though you mentioned no events are being generated, continue monitoring the RDS Events in the AWS Console or through the AWS CLI to see if any error messages appear.

3. Monitor CloudWatch metrics - Keep checking CloudWatch for any unusual patterns in database connections, CPU usage, or I/O operations that might indicate what's preventing the shutdown.

4. Wait for automatic timeout - RDS typically has internal timeouts for operations. The system may eventually force the instance to stop or transition to a different state.

5. Contact AWS Support - If the instance remains stuck in the stopping state beyond a reasonable timeframe (several hours), I recommend opening a case through the AWS Support Center at https://console.aws.amazon.com/support/. The support team can investigate the underlying cause and help resolve the issue, as they have access to internal logs and can take actions that aren't available through the console.

For future reference, ensure that your database doesn't have long-running transactions or processes that might prevent a clean shutdown.