A computing device executing a virtualization manager detects that a virtual machine running on a host has been paused. While the virtual machine is paused, no processor cycles are assigned to the virtual machine. The computing device determines whether a condition that caused the virtual machine to be paused has been resolved. If the condition has been resolved, the computing device causes the virtual machine to be resumed. Resuming the virtual machine includes assigning processor cycles to the virtual machine and performing a last input/output operation that was attempted prior to the virtual machine being paused.