"Auto deploy service is not running or not configured properly" error when upgrading from vCenter Server 5.5 to 6.0

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

Upgrading from Windows vCenter Server 5.5 to 6.0 fails with the error:

auto deploy service is not running or not configured properly
 

• Auto deploy service has already been disabled from services.msc 
• Auto deploy Plug-in also disabled from vSphere client
• In UpgradeRunner.log file, you see entries similar to:

"localized": "Auto Deploy service is not running or not configured properly.",
"translatable": "Auto Deploy service is not running or not configured properly."
 

• In vminst.log file, you see entries similar to:

2019-04-17 14:52:18.462+05:30| vcsInstUtil-9451621| I: PitCA_MessageBox: Displaying message: "Error: Auto Deploy service is not running or not configured properly.
Resolution: Ensure that Auto Deploy is running on the source and configured properly.

Note: The preceding log excerpts are only examples. Date, time, and environmental variables may vary depending on your environment. 

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 6.0.x

Cause

This issue occurs if the Auto Deploy extension is active in Managed Object Browser (MOB) of vCenter Server.

Resolution

To resolve the " auto deploy service is not running or not configured properly" issue, remove the plug in from MOB:

1. In a web browser, navigate to https://vCenter_Server_name_or_IP/mob.

Note: If you are using the browser inside vCenter navigate to https://localhost/mob.

2. Click on Content.
3. Click ExtensionManager.
4. Select and copy the Auto deploy plug-in (com.vmware.rbd) from the list of values under Properties. 
5. Click UnregisterExtension.
6. On the new pop-up window paste the key of the plug-in (com.vmware.rbd)
7. Click Invoke Method. This removes the plug-in and results in void.
8. Close the window.
9. Refresh the Managed Object Type:ManagedObjectReference:ExtensionManager window to verify that the plug-in is removed successfully.
10. Retry the upgrade.

Note : This procedure does not require reboot of vCenter Server or restart of vCenter services.

Additional Information

• Troubleshooting vSphere Auto Deploy
• Installing or upgrading vCenter Server Appliance to vSphere 6.0 fails with the error: Error while configuring vSphere Auto Deploy Waiter firstboot
• Reinstalling vSphere Auto Deploy fails with the error: The service is already registered with the vCenter Server