When an application pool exceeded time limits during shut down in IIS, an unexpected runtime error may be created. At Bobcares, with our Server Management Service, we can handle your IIS issues.

What to do when an application pool exceeds time limits during shut down in IIS?

If an application pool goes over the allotted time while shutting down Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS), an unexpected runtime error may be generated.

The worker processes (also known as worker threads) connected to an application pool in IIS are gracefully terminated when the pool is stopped or recycled by the server. When the shutdown process starts, if these worker processes are busy processing requests or carrying out other activities, they are allowed a set length of time to accomplish their ongoing work before being forcibly terminated. The error notice “An application pool exceeded time limits during shutdown” will appear if any worker process goes over this allotted amount of time.

When an application pool takes longer to shut down than the set ShutdownTimeLimit property allows, this message is recorded in the event log. If the worker process runs over its allotted period, it will be forced stopped, and recycled. An entry for the event log will be made.

It is possible for this message to show up in the event log without any unfavorable user behavior being noticed while they are accessing websites hosted in that application pool. There will be specifically 2 reasons for such an issue:

1. The ShutdownTimeLimit has been set to a value that is too low.

2. The web application has an issue that makes it difficult for it to shut down quickly.

Solution

In order to fix the error, there are mainly two solutions:

1. Increase the value of ShutdownTimeLimit

2. Investigate the cause of the application pool’s delayed shutdown.

[Searching solution for a different question? We’re happy to help.]

Conclusion

The article explains briefly the reasons why an application pool exceeded time limits during shut down in IIS, along with the solutions to fix it from our Tech team.