> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.coreweave.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Why won't my PVC delete?

A `Bound` PVC doesn't finish deleting while any Pod still references it. Kubernetes adds the `kubernetes.io/pvc-protection` finalizer to every PVC, and the finalizer holds a deleted PVC in `Terminating` until no Pod uses it. This is expected Kubernetes behavior that protects data in use. In the Cloud Console, clicking **Delete** shows a success message, but the PVC stays in the list with a `Bound` status until the deletion completes.

**Quick diagnostic.** Run `kubectl describe pvc [PVC-NAME] -n [NAMESPACE]`. If `Status` shows `Terminating`, the delete request succeeded. The `Used By` line lists every Pod that still references the PVC.

**To release the PVC:**

* **Remove every Pod listed under `Used By`.** Include long-running Pods, such as SUNK login Pods and model servers, which don't release the PVC when a job completes. Completed Pods also hold the PVC until you delete them.
* **Scale down controller-managed Pods.** If a Deployment, StatefulSet, or other controller manages a Pod, scale the controller to zero instead of deleting the Pod. Otherwise, the controller recreates the Pod and the Pod mounts the PVC again.

After the last Pod that references the PVC is gone, Kubernetes removes the finalizer and the deletion completes without another delete request. For Distributed File Storage, the PV and its data remain for a 24-hour soft-delete window after the deletion completes. To restore them within that window, see [Recover a deleted PVC](https://docs.coreweave.com/products/storage/distributed-file-storage/recover-deleted-pvc.md).

If a new PVC won't bind instead, see [Why is my PVC stuck in Pending?](https://docs.coreweave.com/support/storage/articles/why-is-my-pvc-stuck-in-pending). If `Used By` shows no Pods and the PVC is still `Terminating`, [contact support](https://docs.coreweave.com/support/contact.md).

***

[Server Errors](https://docs.coreweave.com/support/storage/tags/server-errors.md)[Administrator](https://docs.coreweave.com/support/storage/tags/administrator.md)