> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.i3d.net/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.i3d.net/compute/flexvm/vm-lifecycle-and-states.md).

# VM Lifecycle and States

A VM moves through a series of states from creation to deletion. The current state is reported in the `status` field of the VM object, which you can retrieve with `GET /v3/flexVM/clouds/{cloudUuid}/vms/{vmUuid}`.

## VM states

| Status         | Description                                                          |
| -------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `provisioning` | The VM is being created and resources are being allocated on a Node. |
| `created`      | The VM has been created but has not yet started.                     |
| `starting`     | The VM is booting.                                                   |
| `running`      | The VM is powered on and operational.                                |
| `stopping`     | The VM is shutting down.                                             |
| `stopped`      | The VM is powered off. Its disks are retained.                       |
| `paused`       | The VM is suspended, with its state held in memory.                  |
| `failed`       | The VM entered an error state during provisioning or operation.      |
| `deleting`     | The VM is being removed and its disks are being wiped.               |
| `deleted`      | The VM has been removed.                                             |

## Typical lifecycle

A newly created VM transitions through `provisioning` → `created` → `starting` → `running`.

From `running`, you change a VM's state by issuing commands (stop, reboot, and so on) — see [Managing VMs](/compute/flexvm/managing-vms.md). Stopping a VM moves it through `stopping` → `stopped`; starting it again returns it through `starting` → `running`.

Deleting a VM moves it through `deleting` → `deleted` and immediately wipes its local LVM disk and any NVMe passthrough disk. See [Creating and Deleting a VM](/compute/flexvm/creating-and-deleting-a-vm.md).

{% hint style="info" %}
A VM in the `failed` state cannot be recovered. Delete it and create a new one. If failures persist, contact i3D.net support.
{% endhint %}


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