# Deferring Maintenance > Depth-first rabbithole dossier for Deferring Maintenance; source-anchored research pack. Parent: [Atlas Maintenance Windows](https://llms-explorer.com/tree/atlas-maintenance-windows/) · 3 facets · 9 facts · page: https://llms-explorer.com/tree/deferring-maintenance/ ## How it works - [medium] The 'Automatically defer maintenance for one week' option causes Atlas to defer future scheduled maintenance by one week each time, resulting in maintenance running every two weeks. Sources: https://www.mongodb.com/docs/atlas/tutorial/cluster-maintenance-window.md, https://www.mongodb.com/docs/atlas/tutorial/configure-maintenance-window-settings.md — source: `~/.global-ai-hub/research/.pipeline/mongodb-2026-10-14/frb/deferring-maintenance-748a5cb935/rabbithole-synthesis.md#core` - [high] The CLI command 'defer' postpones the next scheduled maintenance event by one week, but only functions when maintenance is already scheduled. Sources: https://github.com/mongodb/terraform-provider-mongodbatlas/issues/3155, https://www.pulumi.com/registry/packages/mongodbatlas/api-docs/maintenancewindow/ — source: `~/.global-ai-hub/research/.pipeline/mongodb-2026-10-14/frb/deferring-maintenance-748a5cb935/rabbithole-synthesis.md#tools` ## Problems, failure modes and limitations - [high] The auto_defer_once_enabled attribute enables automatic deferral of all scheduled maintenance for the project by one week. An issue reporter in terraform-provider-mongodbatlas issue #3155 suggested this would also defer urgent security patches, but Atlas documentation says urgent maintenance such as security patches cannot wait for the chosen window. Sources: https://github.com/mongodb/terraform-provider-mongodbatlas/issues/3155, https://www.pulumi.com/registry/packages/mongodbatlas/api-docs/maintenancewindow/ — source: `~/.global-ai-hub/research/.pipeline/mongodb-2026-10-14/frb/deferring-maintenance-748a5cb935/rabbithole-synthesis.md#tools` ## Facts and statements - [low] Atlas allows users to defer scheduled maintenance for one week or begin it immediately, with a banner displayed 48-72 hours prior and email notifications sent to Project Owners. Sources: https://www.mongodb.com/docs/atlas/tutorial/respond-to-required-maintenance.md — source: `~/.global-ai-hub/research/.pipeline/mongodb-2026-10-14/frb/deferring-maintenance-748a5cb935/rabbithole-synthesis.md#core` - [medium] Automatic deferral of maintenance is unavailable for projects in an organization if any project within that organization has a maintenance wave configured. Sources: https://www.mongodb.com/docs/atlas/tutorial/cluster-maintenance-window.md, https://www.mongodb.com/docs/atlas/tutorial/configure-maintenance-window-settings.md — source: `~/.global-ai-hub/research/.pipeline/mongodb-2026-10-14/frb/deferring-maintenance-748a5cb935/rabbithole-synthesis.md#core` - [medium] Manual deferral of maintenance is restricted to projects with a maintenance wave configured only if they are assigned to Last Wave, and these projects are limited to at most one manual deferral. Sources: https://www.mongodb.com/docs/atlas/tutorial/cluster-maintenance-window.md, https://www.mongodb.com/docs/atlas/tutorial/respond-to-required-maintenance.md, https://www.mongodb.com/docs/atlas/tutorial/configure-maintenance-window-settings.md — source: `~/.global-ai-hub/research/.pipeline/mongodb-2026-10-14/frb/deferring-maintenance-748a5cb935/rabbithole-synthesis.md#core` - [high] A single project maintenance event can be deferred up to two times, with the deferral count tracking how many times the current event has been postponed. Sources: https://www.mongodb.com/docs/atlas/tutorial/respond-to-required-maintenance.md, https://www.pulumi.com/registry/packages/mongodbatlas/api-docs/maintenancewindow/ — source: `~/.global-ai-hub/research/.pipeline/mongodb-2026-10-14/frb/deferring-maintenance-748a5cb935/rabbithole-synthesis.md#core` - [low] The CLI command 'auto_defer' defers any scheduled maintenance for one week, excluding 'Urgent Maintenance Activity' such as security patches. Sources: https://github.com/mongodb/terraform-provider-mongodbatlas/issues/3155 — source: `~/.global-ai-hub/research/.pipeline/mongodb-2026-10-14/frb/deferring-maintenance-748a5cb935/rabbithole-synthesis.md#tools` - [low] Users should allow all deferred maintenance to complete to ensure their clusters are on the latest versions. Sources: https://intercom-help.mongodb.com/en/articles/16063007-july-2026-security-release — source: `~/.global-ai-hub/research/.pipeline/mongodb-2026-10-14/frb/deferring-maintenance-748a5cb935/rabbithole-synthesis.md#methodology` ## Related concepts - Maintenance — is a part of Deferring Maintenance