Quick Answer
The answer is to enable sticky sessions on the ALB. This is correct because sticky sessions, also known as session affinity, ensure that all requests from a given user session are routed to the same backend EC2 instance, preventing the logout that occurs when a refresh sends the request to a different instance that lacks the user’s session state. On the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of stateful application architecture and load balancer configuration—a common trap is confusing stateless solutions like ElastiCache or cross-zone load balancing with the actual routing fix. Remember that sticky sessions bind the user to a specific instance, while stateless designs would externalize session data entirely. A useful memory tip: “Stickiness stops the shuffle”—if users are logged out on refresh, think “stick the session to one server.”
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of continuous improvement for existing solutions. 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 company is running a stateful web application on EC2 instances behind an ALB. Users report that when they refresh a page, they are logged out. What is the best solution to fix this issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Enable cross-zone load balancing on the ALB.
Why wrong: Cross-zone load balancing distributes traffic evenly, not session persistence.
Enable sticky sessions on the ALB.
Sticky sessions route user to the same instance.
Replace the ALB with a Classic Load Balancer.
Why wrong: Classic Load Balancer also needs stickiness.
Use ElastiCache to store session data.
Why wrong: This would require application changes.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Enable sticky sessions on the ALB.
Option C is correct because enabling stickiness (session affinity) ensures requests from the same user go to the same instance. Option A is incorrect because a Classic Load Balancer doesn't solve statefulness. Option B is incorrect because ElastiCache doesn't solve routing. Option D is incorrect because cross-zone load balancing doesn't affect session persistence.
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.
Enable cross-zone load balancing on the ALB.
Why it's wrong here
Cross-zone load balancing distributes traffic evenly, not session persistence.
Enable sticky sessions on the ALB.
Why this is correct
Sticky sessions route user to the same instance.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Replace the ALB with a Classic Load Balancer.
Why it's wrong here
Classic Load Balancer also needs stickiness.
Use ElastiCache to store session data.
Why it's wrong here
This would require application changes.
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: Enable sticky sessions on the ALB. — Option C is correct because enabling stickiness (session affinity) ensures requests from the same user go to the same instance. Option A is incorrect because a Classic Load Balancer doesn't solve statefulness. Option B is incorrect because ElastiCache doesn't solve routing. Option D is incorrect because cross-zone load balancing doesn't affect session persistence.
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.
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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