# Inactive EC2 instance | Cloud Efficiency Hub Canonical: https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/inefficiencies/inactive-ec2-instance An EC2 instance remains in a running state but is not actively utilized. By: Taylor Houck Updated: 2026-09-28 [Cloud Efficiency Hub](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub) # Inactive EC2 Instance The short version An EC2 instance remains in a running state but is not actively utilized. [Taylor Houck](https://www.linkedin.com/in/twhouck/) Cloud FinOps Specialist @ PointFive AWS service [AWS EC2](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/cloud-services/aws-ec2) Category [Compute](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/service-category/compute) Reference CER-0034 Type Idle or Unused Resource ## Explanation Why the waste happens and who it affects. These instances may be remnants of past projects, forgotten development environments, or temporarily created for testing and never decommissioned. If an instance shows consistently low or no CPU, network, or disk activity - and no active connections-it likely serves no operational purpose but continues to generate ongoing compute and storage charges. ## Billing model The pricing dimensions that drive this cost. EC2 instances are billed per second with a 60-second minimum for Linux, Windows, RHEL, and Ubuntu Pro (SLES is billed per full hour) while in the running state, based on instance type and size. Charges apply continuously unless the instance is stopped or terminated. Associated resources like EBS volumes, Elastic IPs, and Load Balancers may continue to incur charges even after the instance is stopped. ## How to detect 5 checks to find it in your estate. - Identify EC2 instances that have been running throughout the lookback period - Review CPU utilization, network throughput, and disk activity for sustained inactivity - Check for the absence of inbound or outbound connections over the same period - Evaluate whether the instance is part of a deprecated or paused workload - Confirm with application or infrastructure owners whether the instance is still required ## How to fix How to remove the waste. Decommission the instance after confirming it is no longer needed. Prior to termination, consider taking a snapshot or image if the data must be retained. Delete or clean up associated resources such as EBS volumes, Elastic IPs, and security groups. Schedule regular audits to catch inactive compute resources early. ## Documentation Vendor references for pricing and configuration. - [Amazon EC2 Pricing aws.amazon.com](https://aws.amazon.com/ec2/pricing/) - [Monitor Amazon EC2 resources docs.aws.amazon.com](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSEC2/latest/UserGuide/monitoring_ec2.html) ## Related inefficiencies [Browse the library](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub) - AWS EC2 CER-0083 ### [Stale Dedicated Hosts for Stopped EC2 Mac Instances](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/inefficiencies/stale-dedicated-hosts-for-stopped-ec2-mac-instances) When an EC2 Mac instance is stopped or terminated, its associated dedicated host remains allocated by default. Because Mac instances run only on Dedicated Hosts (one instance per host) and the host, not the instance, is the unit of... Compute - AWS EC2 CER-0342 ### [Unused EC2 On-Demand Capacity Reservations](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/inefficiencies/unused-ec2-on-demand-capacity-reservations) On-Demand Capacity Reservations (ODCRs) hold EC2 capacity for a specific instance type, platform, tenancy and Availability Zone. They are billed at the equivalent On-Demand rate for every reserved slot whether or not an instance is running... Compute - AWS EC2 CER-0343 ### [Underutilized EC2 Dedicated Hosts](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/inefficiencies/underutilized-ec2-dedicated-hosts) EC2 Dedicated Hosts are physical servers allocated to a single account, usually to bring existing socket- or core-based licenses (such as Windows Server or SQL Server) or to meet compliance requirements. The host, not the instance, is the... Compute --- Source: the public page above. Product screenshots and illustrative interfaces are examples, not live customer data.