You would already know that AWS offers multiple instance types for optimizing computing, memory, or storage. Changing an EC2 instance type allows you to scale up or down your server capacity depending on your workload. Whether your application needs power optimization or you're trying to cut costs, modifying the instance type is a straightforward and effective solution.
This guide walks you through the steps to safely stop, modify, and restart your EC2 instance with a different instance type—all without losing any data.
Step-by-step guide to changing EC2 instance type in AWS
Step 1. Log in to the AWS management console
Log in to your AWS management console with your root or IAM user credentials. It’s important to note that you need the right access to update the instance type and it isn’t possible to do with just any user account.
Step 2. Go to the EC2 dashboard
From the “Services’ menu, select the EC2 tab to access the EC2 Dashboard.
Step 3. Stop the instance
You must stop the instance before changing its type. To do this, select the instance, click on Instance State and then click on Stop Instance. Wait until the instance is fully stopped. Be careful not to terminate the instance. Stopping the event will preserve the data while terminating it will delete all data.
Step 4. Change the instance type
With the instance selected, click on Actions > Instance settings > Change instance type. You’ll get a pop-up window where you need to choose the new instance type from the dropdown. Once you’ve selected the instance type, click on Apply.
Step 5. Start the instance
Once you’ve changed the instance type, you need to start the instance again since you had stopped it before. To do this, click on instance state and then on Start Instance and wait for the instance to reach the "running" state.
Step 6. Verify the instance type
Once done, you can confirm the change by selecting the instance and scrolling down to the Description tab of the instance. You can check the Instance Type field to see if it has been defined correctly.
FAQ
Can I change the instance type without stopping it?
No, you must stop the instance before you can change its type. AWS does not support modifying instance types for running instances.
Will I lose data if I stop my EC2 instance?
No, stopping an EC2 instance will not delete your stored data. However, if you have instance store volumes, their data will be lost.
Will my IP address change if I change the instance type?
Yes, if you're using a public IP that was automatically assigned, it will change after the instance is stopped and restarted. If you want to retain the IP address, use an Elastic IP.
Can I downgrade the instance type to save costs?
Yes, you can switch to a smaller instance type to reduce billing. However, you need to ensure that the new type meets the performance and memory requirements of your application.
