AWS Unable to Create EBS Snapshot: Lifecyle Manager Error – Fail to Fetch

Are you stuck with an AWS error that’s preventing you from creating an EBS snapshot? Specifically, the error message reads: “Lifecyle Manager error -> fail to fetch”? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! This frustrating issue is more common than you think, but thankfully, we’re here to guide you through the troubleshooting process and help you resolve it in no time.

Understanding EBS Snapshots and Lifecycle Manager

Before diving into the solution, let’s quickly cover the basics. EBS (Elastic Block Store) snapshots are an essential feature in AWS that allows you to create point-in-time copies of your EBS volumes. These snapshots can be used for backup and restore purposes, ensuring the integrity and availability of your data.

Lifecycle Manager, on the other hand, is an AWS service that automates the creation, retention, and deletion of EBS snapshots based on predefined policies. This helps manage snapshot costs, reduces complexity, and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements.

Why Does the “Fail to Fetch” Error Occur?

The “Lifecyle Manager error -> fail to fetch” issue typically arises when there’s a misconfiguration or incompatibility between your EBS snapshot settings and the Lifecycle Manager policy. This can be due to various reasons, such as:

• Incorrect IAM role or permissions
• Invalid or missing snapshot settings
• Conflict between lifecycle policies
• Region-specific issues
• Network connectivity problems

Troubleshooting Steps to Resolve the “Fail to Fetch” Error

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get straight to the troubleshooting process! Follow these step-by-step instructions to resolve the “Lifecyle Manager error -> fail to fetch” issue:

Step 1: Verify IAM Role and Permissions

starters, ensure that the IAM role associated with your EBS snapshot has the necessary permissions to interact with the Lifecycle Manager. You can do this by:

aws iam get-role --role-name 

Check if the role has the required permissions, such as:

• ec2:CreateSnapshot
• ec2:DeleteSnapshot
• ec2:DescribeSnapshots
• ec2:CreateTags
• ec2:DeleteTags

If the role is missing any of these permissions, update the IAM policy accordingly.

Step 2: Review Snapshot Settings

Next, review your EBS snapshot settings to ensure they’re correctly configured. Check the following:

• Snapshot description and tags
• Volume ID and region
• Snapshot type (e.g., automated, manual)
• Retention period and deletion rules

Verify that these settings are consistent with your Lifecycle Manager policy.

Step 3: Inspect Lifecycle Manager Policy

Examine your Lifecycle Manager policy to identify any potential conflicts or misconfigurations. Check the following:

• Policy name and description
• Resource type (e.g., EBS, AMI)
• Retention rules and deletion schedules
• Tag-based filtering and selection

Ensure that the policy is correctly configured and doesn’t conflict with other policies.

Step 4: Validate Region-Specific Settings

Since EBS snapshots are region-specific, ensure that your Lifecycle Manager policy is configured to work with the correct region. Check the following:

• Region selection in the Lifecycle Manager policy
• Region consistency with your EBS snapshot settings

If you’re using multiple regions, ensure that the policy is replicated across regions correctly.

Step 5: Investigate Network Connectivity Issues

Network connectivity problems can also cause the “fail to fetch” error. Verify that:

• Your instance has a working network connection
• Security groups and network ACLs allow outbound traffic to the AWS services

If you’re using a VPN or proxy, ensure that it’s correctly configured and not blocking the connection.

Step 6: Check AWS Service Status

Occasionally, AWS services may experience outages or maintenance, causing the “fail to fetch” error. Check the:

• AWS Service Health Dashboard
• AWS Status Page

If you find any service issues or maintenance, wait until the issue is resolved and try creating the EBS snapshot again.

Conclusion

By following these comprehensive troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve the “Lifecyle Manager error -> fail to fetch” issue and successfully create your EBS snapshot. Remember to double-check your IAM role and permissions, snapshot settings, Lifecycle Manager policy, region-specific settings, network connectivity, and AWS service status.

If you’re still experiencing issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to AWS support or a qualified engineer for further assistance.

Troubleshooting Step	Description
1. Verify IAM Role and Permissions	Ensure the IAM role has necessary permissions
2. Review Snapshot Settings	Verify snapshot description, tags, and settings
3. Inspect Lifecycle Manager Policy	Check policy configuration and consistency
4. Validate Region-Specific Settings	Ensure region consistency with EBS snapshot settings
5. Investigate Network Connectivity Issues	Verify network connection and security group settings
6. Check AWS Service Status	Check AWS service health and status page

Remember, troubleshooting is an iterative process. Be patient, and don’t hesitate to try each step until the issue is resolved.

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