hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
Diagnosing a Build That Stays notStarted for an Extended Period
Network Topology
Refer to the exhibit. You queue a build in Azure Pipelines. The build status remains 'notStarted' for an extended period. What is the most likely reason?
Quick Answer
A build stuck in 'notStarted' almost always means it's waiting for an agent that satisfies its demands — capabilities like a specific OS or an Agent.Version threshold. If every agent in the pool is busy or none currently meet those demands, the queued build simply waits indefinitely until a matching agent frees up.
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse 'notStarted' with a configuration or authorization error, but the key is recognizing that 'notStarted' specifically means the build is queued and waiting for an agent, not that it has been rejected or failed.
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 build is waiting for an available agent that meets the demands.
The 'notStarted' status indicates the build has been queued but no agent has picked it up yet. In Azure Pipelines, a build waits for an available agent that matches the demands specified in the pipeline (e.g., capabilities like 'Agent.OS' or custom demands). If all agents in the pool are busy or none meet the demands, the build remains in a 'notStarted' state until a suitable agent becomes free.
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 build priority is set to normal, causing delay.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Priority normal does not cause indefinite waiting; it just affects order.
- ✓
The build is waiting for an available agent that meets the demands.
Why this is correct
Correct. The demands require a Linux agent with Agent.Version > 2.170.1. If no hosted agent matches, the build waits indefinitely.
- ✗
The build definition has a syntax error in the YAML file.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Syntax errors would cause the build to fail immediately, not remain not started.
- ✗
The build definition is not authorized to use the Azure Pipelines pool.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Authorization issues typically result in a failure, not a pending state.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to DevOps and Azure DevOps
Key term
Pipeline
A pipeline is an automated series of steps that takes code from development to production, ensuring quality and speed.
Key term
Agent
An agent is a software component that runs on a local machine to perform automated tasks, collect data, or execute commands as part of a larger system like CI/CD or monitoring.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on AZ-400
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Refer to the exhibit. A developer queues a build manually but notices the build status remains 'notStarted' for an extended period. The pipeline has no demands and priority is normal. Which is the most likely cause?
hard- A.The variable 'BuildConfiguration' is misspelled.
- B.The branch 'main' does not exist.
- ✓ C.All agents in the pool are currently busy.
- D.The pipeline definition ID is incorrect.
Why C: When a build remains in 'notStarted' status for an extended period, it typically means the pipeline is waiting for an available agent. Since the pipeline has no demands and priority is normal, the most likely cause is that all agents in the specified agent pool are currently busy executing other jobs, so the build is queued until an agent becomes free.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This AZ-400 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft 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 AZ-400 exam.