Quick Answer
The correct answer is to stop and start the EC2 instance. This action resolves an impaired system status by migrating the instance to new underlying hardware, which is the root cause when system status checks fail due to physical issues like power loss or network connectivity problems at the host level. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the distinction between instance status checks (which examine the OS and application) and system status checks (which assess the underlying physical host). A common trap is confusing a reboot with a stop/start; while a reboot keeps the instance on the same host, a stop and start forces AWS to provision new hardware, permanently fixing the impairment. Remember the mnemonic: “System Sick? Stop and Start to Switch the Server.”
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of continuous improvement for existing solutions. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 solutions architect runs the above commands for an EC2 instance. The instance state is 'running' but the system status is 'impaired'. What should the solutions architect do to restore the instance?
Start the instance.
Why wrong: The instance is already running.
Stop and start the instance.
Stop/start migrates the instance to new hardware.
Modify the instance type.
Why wrong: Changing instance type does not resolve hardware impairment.
Reboot the instance.
Why wrong: Reboot does not change the underlying hardware.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Stop and start the instance.
Option C is correct. AWS recommends stopping and starting the instance to move it to new underlying hardware when system status checks fail. Option A is wrong because the instance is already running. Option B is wrong because reboot may not resolve hardware issues. Option D is wrong because changing instance type does not fix underlying hardware impairment.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Start the instance.
Why it's wrong here
The instance is already running.
Stop and start the instance.
Why this is correct
Stop/start migrates the instance to new hardware.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Modify the instance type.
Why it's wrong here
Changing instance type does not resolve hardware impairment.
Reboot the instance.
Why it's wrong here
Reboot does not change the underlying hardware.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Identify which SAP-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — This question tests Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Stop and start the instance. — Option C is correct. AWS recommends stopping and starting the instance to move it to new underlying hardware when system status checks fail. Option A is wrong because the instance is already running. Option B is wrong because reboot may not resolve hardware issues. Option D is wrong because changing instance type does not fix underlying hardware impairment.
Identify which SAP-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This SAP-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 SAP-C02 exam.
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