- A
The Lambda function's execution role does not have permission to send messages to the DLQ.
Why wrong: Incorrect. The Lambda function's execution role permissions are irrelevant because the DLQ is configured on the SQS queue, not on the function.
- B
The SQS queue's redrive policy is not configured.
Correct. If the SQS queue's redrive policy is not configured, failed messages will not be sent to a DLQ. This is the most likely reason.
- C
The Lambda function's reserved concurrency is set to 0.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Reserved concurrency set to 0 would stop all invocations, but occasional failures suggest the function runs sometimes; a missing redrive policy is more likely.
- D
The Lambda function does not have a dead-letter queue configured.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Configuring a DLQ on the Lambda function is for asynchronous invocations, not for SQS-triggered functions. The correct approach is to configure the redrive policy on the SQS queue.
DVA-C02 SQS Redrive Policy Practice Question
This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of troubleshooting and optimization. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: sQS Redrive Policy. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A developer is troubleshooting an AWS Lambda function that is triggered by an Amazon SQS queue. The function processes messages but occasionally fails. The failed messages are not being sent to the dead-letter queue (DLQ). What is the most likely reason?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The SQS queue's redrive policy is not configured.
When Lambda is triggered by SQS, the recommended approach is to configure a dead-letter queue (DLQ) on the SQS queue itself using a redrive policy. This ensures that messages that fail processing after reaching the maximum receive count are automatically moved to the DLQ. Option B is correct because the absence of a redrive policy means failed messages remain in the main queue or are discarded, not sent to a DLQ. Option D is incorrect; configuring a DLQ on the Lambda function is intended for asynchronous invocations, not SQS-triggered Lambda. Option A is incorrect because the redrive policy does not rely on Lambda's IAM role; it is a configuration on the SQS queue. Option C is incorrect because reserved concurrency set to 0 would prevent all invocations, but the issue described is about occasional failures, not complete lack of invocation.
Key principle: SQS Redrive Policy
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The Lambda function's execution role does not have permission to send messages to the DLQ.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The Lambda function's execution role permissions are irrelevant because the DLQ is configured on the SQS queue, not on the function.
- ✓
The SQS queue's redrive policy is not configured.
Why this is correct
Correct. If the SQS queue's redrive policy is not configured, failed messages will not be sent to a DLQ. This is the most likely reason.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
SQS Redrive Policy
- ✗
The Lambda function's reserved concurrency is set to 0.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Reserved concurrency set to 0 would stop all invocations, but occasional failures suggest the function runs sometimes; a missing redrive policy is more likely.
- ✗
The Lambda function does not have a dead-letter queue configured.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Configuring a DLQ on the Lambda function is for asynchronous invocations, not for SQS-triggered functions. The correct approach is to configure the redrive policy on the SQS queue.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates often confuse the two types of DLQs: Lambda function DLQ (for asynchronous invocations) and SQS queue DLQ (redrive policy). For SQS-triggered Lambda, the correct DLQ is on the SQS queue, not on the Lambda function.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- SQS Redrive Policy
- Lambda DLQ
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
SQS Redrive Policy
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
Visual reference
Quick reference
Cloud Service Model Comparison
| Model | You Manage | Provider Manages | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| IaaS | OS, runtime, apps, data | Hardware, hypervisor, networking | EC2, Azure VMs, GCP Compute Engine |
| PaaS | Apps and data | OS, runtime, middleware, hardware | Elastic Beanstalk, Azure App Service |
| SaaS | Data and settings only | Everything else | Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Workday |
| FaaS / Serverless | Function code only | Infra, scaling, runtime | Lambda, Azure Functions, Cloud Run |
| CaaS | Containers and apps | Kubernetes, OS, hardware | EKS, AKS, GKE |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review sQS Redrive Policy, then practise related DVA-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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Troubleshooting and Optimization — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DVA-C02 question test?
Troubleshooting and Optimization — This question tests Troubleshooting and Optimization — SQS Redrive Policy.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The SQS queue's redrive policy is not configured. — When Lambda is triggered by SQS, the recommended approach is to configure a dead-letter queue (DLQ) on the SQS queue itself using a redrive policy. This ensures that messages that fail processing after reaching the maximum receive count are automatically moved to the DLQ. Option B is correct because the absence of a redrive policy means failed messages remain in the main queue or are discarded, not sent to a DLQ. Option D is incorrect; configuring a DLQ on the Lambda function is intended for asynchronous invocations, not SQS-triggered Lambda. Option A is incorrect because the redrive policy does not rely on Lambda's IAM role; it is a configuration on the SQS queue. Option C is incorrect because reserved concurrency set to 0 would prevent all invocations, but the issue described is about occasional failures, not complete lack of invocation.
What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?
Review sQS Redrive Policy, then practise related DVA-C02 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
SQS Redrive Policy
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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