How to Delete Stacks That Are Stuck Due to Missing Worker Pools

Last updated: September 8, 2025

If you are unable to delete a space and receive error messages about resource references, this may be because the stack was previously set to run on a worker pool that has been deleted. When this happens, the stack may disappear from the UI but still exist in the backend, preventing deletion of related resources.

Resolving the Issue

  1. Access the stack directly through its URL (e.g., https://your-account.app.spacelift.io/stack/stack-name)

  2. The stack should now be visible in the UI again

  3. Update the stack's worker pool settings to use either:

    • An available private worker pool

    • The public worker pool

  4. After changing the worker pool, attempt to delete the stack again

If you're unable to delete multiple stacks or spaces, you may need to check that:

  • The resources aren't actually Terraform modules that you need to keep

  • There aren't any deletion protection settings enabled

  • All dependent resources have been properly removed

If you continue to experience issues after following these steps, please contact support for additional assistance.