AWS Batch ClientException errors when creating job queues typically indicate compute environment issues, IAM permissions, or VPC configuration problems. This guide covers the most common causes and step-by-step fixes.
When creating an AWS Batch job queue through Terraform, a ClientException error means AWS Batch encountered a problem that prevents the job queue from being created. This is usually a validation error rather than a transient failure. The error occurs because the service detects an issue with your compute environment, IAM permissions, VPC configuration, or resource state. Unlike other errors, ClientException doesn't indicate a networking problemβit indicates that your configuration or AWS account state is invalid for creating the job queue.
First, check that your compute environment is created and ready. AWS Batch requires the compute environment to exist before you can reference it in a job queue.
resource "aws_batch_compute_environment" "example" {
compute_environment_name = "my-compute-env"
type = "MANAGED"
state = "ENABLED"
service_role = aws_iam_role.batch_service_role.arn
compute_resources {
type = "EC2"
min_vcpus = 0
max_vcpus = 256
desired_vcpus = 0
instance_types = ["optimal"]
subnets = [aws_subnet.example.id]
security_groups = [aws_security_group.example.id]
instance_role = aws_iam_instance_profile.batch_instance_role.arn
}
}In the AWS Console, navigate to Batch > Compute environments and verify your compute environment shows a status of VALID or DISABLED (not INVALID or UPDATE_FAILED). If it shows INVALID, you need to fix the compute environment configuration first before creating the job queue.
Terraform sometimes attempts to create resources in parallel. Add an explicit dependency to ensure the compute environment is fully created and initialized before the job queue is created.
resource "aws_batch_job_queue" "example" {
name = "my-job-queue"
state = "ENABLED"
priority = 1
compute_environments = [aws_batch_compute_environment.example.arn]
# CRITICAL: Add this dependency
depends_on = [aws_batch_compute_environment.example]
}The depends_on directive forces Terraform to wait until the compute environment resource is completely created before attempting to create the job queue. This prevents race conditions that can trigger the ClientException.
The IAM service role attached to your compute environment must have the AWSBatchServiceRole policy attached. This policy grants Batch permission to create and manage EC2 instances and other resources.
data "aws_iam_policy_document" "batch_service_policy" {
statement {
actions = [
"batch:*",
"ec2:CreateNetworkInterface",
"ec2:DescribeNetworkInterfaces",
"ec2:DescribeVpcs",
"ec2:DescribeSubnets",
"ec2:DescribeSecurityGroups",
"ec2:DescribeImages",
"ec2:DescribeInstances",
"ec2:RunInstances",
"ec2:TerminateInstances",
"iam:PassRole"
]
resources = ["*"]
}
}
resource "aws_iam_role" "batch_service_role" {
name = "batch-service-role"
assume_role_policy = jsonencode({
Version = "2012-10-17"
Statement = [
{
Action = "sts:AssumeRole"
Effect = "Allow"
Principal = {
Service = "batch.amazonaws.com"
}
}
]
})
}
resource "aws_iam_role_policy" "batch_service_policy" {
name = "batch-service-policy"
role = aws_iam_role.batch_service_role.id
policy = data.aws_iam_policy_document.batch_service_policy.json
}Ensure the role is properly attached to your compute environment in the service_role parameter.
VPC issues in the compute environment prevent job queue creation. Verify that your subnets and security groups are properly configured.
resource "aws_batch_compute_environment" "example" {
# ... other config ...
compute_resources {
# ... other config ...
# Ensure subnets exist and have available IP addresses
subnets = [
aws_subnet.private_a.id,
aws_subnet.private_b.id
]
# Security group must allow outbound HTTPS (port 443) for ECR image pulls
security_groups = [aws_security_group.batch_sg.id]
instance_role = aws_iam_instance_profile.batch_instance_role.arn
}
}
resource "aws_security_group" "batch_sg" {
name = "batch-sg"
description = "Security group for Batch compute environment"
vpc_id = aws_vpc.example.id
egress {
from_port = 443
to_port = 443
protocol = "tcp"
cidr_blocks = ["0.0.0.0/0"]
description = "Allow HTTPS to ECR and AWS services"
}
egress {
from_port = 80
to_port = 80
protocol = "tcp"
cidr_blocks = ["0.0.0.0/0"]
description = "Allow HTTP"
}
}Verify that your subnets have available IP addresses and that security groups allow necessary outbound traffic.
The job queue must explicitly include the state and priority attributes. Missing these triggers a ClientException.
resource "aws_batch_job_queue" "example" {
name = "my-job-queue"
state = "ENABLED" # REQUIRED: ENABLED or DISABLED
priority = 1 # REQUIRED: Integer priority value
compute_environments = [
aws_batch_compute_environment.example.arn
]
}The priority field determines the order in which Batch evaluates job queues when scheduling jobs. Higher priority values are evaluated first.
In rare cases where compute environment initialization takes longer than expected, add a time-based dependency.
resource "time_sleep" "wait_for_compute_env" {
depends_on = [aws_batch_compute_environment.example]
create_duration = "30s"
}
resource "aws_batch_job_queue" "example" {
name = "my-job-queue"
state = "ENABLED"
priority = 1
compute_environments = [aws_batch_compute_environment.example.arn]
depends_on = [time_sleep.wait_for_compute_env]
}This introduces a 30-second delay after the compute environment is created, allowing AWS Batch to fully initialize it before the job queue is created. Remove this if the basic dependency fix works.
If you're using fair share scheduling with aws_batch_scheduling_policy, ensure every job submitted to that queue includes either scheduling_priority in the job definition or scheduling_priority_override during job submission. Jobs without this field will fail with a ClientException when using a fair share scheduling policy.
For Spot instances in compute resources, ensure your IAM instance role includes the Spot service-linked role permissions. This is handled automatically if you use the managed AWSBatchServiceRole policy.
If you're using a private VPC without NAT gateway access, you'll need VPC endpoints for ECR and other AWS services so that EC2 instances can pull container images.
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