A system consistency management module that performs consistency checking on behalf of an instance. The module identifies data fields of state information corresponding to the instance that are to be subject to consistency checking. The instance may identify this data fields to the system module. The system module may also identify an event that will prompt the consistency checking. When the event occurs, the system module performs the consistency checking on the identified fields. If the system module detects an inconsistency, it may set the state information to reflect that the instance is operating in recovery mode. If the instance itself was to perform the consistency checking, the instance may inform the system module that an inconsistency has been detected. The system module then sets the state information for the instance to reflect that the instance is operating in recovery mode.