Cannot Delete a Virtual Network (VNet) in Azure

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Sometimes, due to resource dependencies, you can’t delete a VNet in Azure.
If you cannot delete a virtual network in Azure, you must try checking the resource dependencies or simply contacting the Azure support team.
But if you don’t know how to perform these fixes, you must read the detailed information further in this article.

VNets, or virtual networks, are key factors in creating an isolated environment for your resource in the Azure cloud. This helps ensure secure communication between both. But, managing these VNets is not everyone’s cup of team and deleting them will be the right option.

However, in case while deleting the Virtual Network in Azure, you are unable to delete it from your server, then this guide is for you. Here, you will learn some great techniques to do so. So, let’s check them out:

Contents

What is Virtual Network (VNet) In Azure?

Virtual Networks, or VNets, help users create private and isolated networks in the cloud. Like old-school networks in on-premises environments, Virtual Networks in Azure also provide connectivity between various Azure resources, including VMs, Azure app services, and databases. Moreover, they provide a high degree of control over network configuration and security.

What Are The Common Reasons Why You Can’t Delete a VNet?

Resource Dependencies
Gateway Connections
Subnet Deletion Restrictions
Network Security Group Rules
Locks and Policies
Deletion Failures

How to Fix Cannot Delete a Virtual Network (VNet) in Azure

Fixing this issue isn’t really complicated at all; you can fix it even if you have some basic knowledge about Microsoft Azure VMs. So, if you want to know how to delete a virtual network in Azure, make sure to check out the steps mentioned below:

Step 1: Check for Resource Dependencies

Initially, before you start removing the VNet from your Azure server, you must review its associated resources. To do you, you must hover over to your Azure portal, then tap on the VNet and check its dependencies.

Moreover, we recommend you also check the subnets, NSGs, VMs, and gateway connections. This will ensure that no active resources are present, which is why you cannot delete a Virtual Network (VNet) in Azure.

However, suppose in case you see some dependencies are active; then you can take these needy actions to resolve them:

Make sure to disconnect the VPN or ExpressRoute you are using with your VNet.
Try shifting the VMs, network interfaces, or any other resources related to this to a different VNet or resource group.
Delete the NSG connections from your subnets or modify NSG rules that may be somehow blocking the deletion process.

Step 2: Review Subnet Deletion Restrictions:

In case even after trying the above step, you are not able to delete or remove the VNet from your Azure cloud server, then there are chances that it is happening due to subnet deletion restrictions.

So, to fix this, you need to first identify the active resources with your affected subnets. Yes, you heard it right! Moving or deleting these resources may help you with the process of deleting the VNets from Azure.

You will be able to proceed with the deletion process when you remove all the resources from the subnets.

Step 3: Address Network Security Group Issues:

You must inspect the NSG rules associated with your VNet and its subnets. In some cases, identifying the rules that may prevent you from deleting the virtual network from Azure helps users fix this problem. So, you can also try this out.

Step 4: Check for Locks and Policies:

The next step to resolve the removal issue with your VNet from Azure is to verify if there are any locks or policies that you have applied or created to VNet or any of its resource groups.

However, if you find that there is a lock that is preventing the process, then remove the lock temporarily or request appropriate permissions from your Azure administrator.

Moreover, before trying this method, you must also check whether your Azure admin policies are restricting VNet deletion.

Step 5: Retry Deletion and Monitor for Failures:

Now, once you address the identified issue with your Azure’s VNet deletions, you must:

Try the deletion process using the Azure portal.
Make sure to check your operation for any failure or error message.
Suppose in case, even after all these, the deletion fails again, then review the error message for some clues on the underlying problem and take needy steps according to that.

Step 6: Contact Azure Support if Needed:

Sadly, in case you already followed the steps we have mentioned above and still getting the same error, then as per our suggestion, you must contact Azure support. They will further assist you once you give them detailed information about what you are facing.

Also Read:

So, that’s all we have for you on how to fix if you cannot delete a Virtual Network (VNet) in Azure. It’s our hope that this troubleshooting guide has helped you. For more info, comment below and let us know.

Cannot Delete a Virtual Network (VNet) in Azure | How To Fix

What is Virtual Network (VNet) In Azure?

What Are The Common Reasons Why You Can’t Delete a VNet?