Question 968 of 1,616
Development with AWS ServiceshardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

How to Fix Lambda Function Timeout by Increasing the Timeout Setting

This DVA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of development with aws services. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. 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 notices that an AWS Lambda function is timing out after 15 seconds. The function makes HTTP requests to an external API. How can the developer resolve this issue without changing the function code?

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

Increase the timeout setting of the Lambda function

The Lambda function is timing out because its default execution timeout (3 seconds) is too short for the HTTP requests to the external API. Increasing the timeout setting allows the function to wait longer for the API response, resolving the timeout without modifying the code. This is a configuration change in the Lambda function settings, not a code change.

Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

  • Increase the reserved concurrency

    Why it's wrong here

    Reserved concurrency guarantees capacity but does not affect timeout.

  • Increase the timeout setting of the Lambda function

    Why this is correct

    The timeout can be increased up to 15 minutes (900 seconds).

    Related concept

    Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

  • Place the Lambda function in a VPC

    Why it's wrong here

    VPC placement does not change the function timeout.

  • Decrease the memory allocation of the Lambda function

    Why it's wrong here

    Decreasing memory can reduce CPU performance and increase execution time.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates may confuse timeout with concurrency or memory, assuming that increasing resources or isolation will speed up execution, when in fact the issue is simply the allowed execution duration.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Lambda function timeout is configured via the `Timeout` parameter (in seconds) in the function configuration, with a maximum of 15 minutes (900 seconds) for synchronous invocations. The default timeout is 3 seconds, which is often insufficient for external API calls that may involve DNS resolution, TCP handshakes, TLS negotiation, and response processing. Increasing the timeout is a simple configuration change that does not require code modification, making it the ideal fix when the code itself is correct but the execution window is too short.

KKey Concepts to Remember

  • Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
  • Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
  • Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.

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

Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

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

Client Recursive Resolver Root DNS (13 root servers) TLD DNS (.com, .org, …) Authoritative example.com query IP addr answer

Quick reference

Cloud Service Model Comparison

ModelYou ManageProvider ManagesExamples
IaaSOS, runtime, apps, dataHardware, hypervisor, networkingEC2, Azure VMs, GCP Compute Engine
PaaSApps and dataOS, runtime, middleware, hardwareElastic Beanstalk, Azure App Service
SaaSData and settings onlyEverything elseMicrosoft 365, Salesforce, Workday
FaaS / ServerlessFunction code onlyInfra, scaling, runtimeLambda, Azure Functions, Cloud Run
CaaSContainers and appsKubernetes, OS, hardwareEKS, AKS, GKE

What to study next

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this DVA-C02 question test?

Development with AWS Services — This question tests Development with AWS Services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Increase the timeout setting of the Lambda function — The Lambda function is timing out because its default execution timeout (3 seconds) is too short for the HTTP requests to the external API. Increasing the timeout setting allows the function to wait longer for the API response, resolving the timeout without modifying the code. This is a configuration change in the Lambda function settings, not a code change.

What should I do if I get this DVA-C02 question wrong?

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026

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This DVA-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DVA-C02 exam.