---
title: How to Pause and Resume a MicroVM (public)
description: Manually pause a running MicroVM or resume a paused one using the Control Panel, doctl, or the API.
product: Microvms
url: https://docs.digitalocean.com/products/microvms/how-to/pause-resume/
last_updated: "2026-10-09"
---

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# How to Pause and Resume a MicroVM (public)

DigitalOcean MicroVMs are lightweight virtual machines that run a container image in an isolated kernel, pause automatically when idle, and resume on the next request with memory, files, and processes intact.

Pausing a DigitalOcean MicroVM suspends the MicroVM and preserves its memory, files, and running processes, so it resumes where it left off. A paused MicroVM incurs storage charges only.

MicroVMs pause automatically after their idle timeout, and resume on the next request when auto-resume is on. You can also pause and resume a MicroVM manually. With auto-resume off, a paused MicroVM stays paused until you resume it. For details, see [MicroVM Lifecycle](https://docs.digitalocean.com/products/microvms/concepts/lifecycle/index.html.md#auto-pause-and-auto-resume).

## Pause or Resume a MicroVM Using the Control Panel

Go to the [**MicroVMs** page](https://cloud.digitalocean.com/microvms), select the MicroVM, then click **Pause** or **Resume**. You can also open the MicroVM’s **…** menu on the **MicroVMs** page and click **Pause MicroVM** or **Resume MicroVM**. Confirm in the window that opens.

## Pause or Resume a MicroVM Using doctl

Pause the MicroVM:

```shell
doctl compute microvm pause <your-microvm-id>
```

Resume the MicroVM:

```shell
doctl compute microvm resume <your-microvm-id>
```

## Pause or Resume a MicroVM Using the API

Send a `POST` request to `/v2/microvms/<your-microvm-id>/pause` to pause the MicroVM:

```shell
curl -X POST \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $DIGITALOCEAN_TOKEN" \
  "https://api.digitalocean.com/v2/microvms/<your-microvm-id>/pause"
```

Send a `POST` request to `/v2/microvms/<your-microvm-id>/resume` to resume the MicroVM:

```shell
curl -X POST \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $DIGITALOCEAN_TOKEN" \
  "https://api.digitalocean.com/v2/microvms/<your-microvm-id>/resume"
```

Both requests return when the change completes. Sending either request when the MicroVM is already in that state succeeds. Both return HTTP 400 when the MicroVM is `creating`, `terminated`, or `failed`.