Powering on the virtual machine fails with error: The UUID .vmdk already exists

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• Unable to power on the virtual machine
• Powering on the virtual machine fails
• You see the error:
  
  The UUID <uuid>.vmdk already exists
  
  Where <uuid> is the UUID of the virtual disk file and consists of a string of numbers. For example, 60 00 C2 95 78 96 04 68-53 cb d0 5e 0f a7 d0 32 .
  
  
• The LUN which contains the VMDK is resignatured

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 4.1.x
VMware VirtualCenter 2.5.x
VMware vCenter Server 4.0.x

Resolution

This issue occurs when the UUID of the virtual disk file is already in use by another virtual machine.

To resolve this issue, change the last two numbers of the UUID to ensure that this value is unique.

To resolve this issue:

1. Log in to the host using SSH session. For more information, see Using ESXi Shell in ESXi 5.x (2004746).
2. Open the /vmfs/volumes/datastore/virtual_Machine/ virtual_machine.vmdk file using a text editor. For more information, see Editing files on an ESX host using vi or nano (1020302).
3. Change the last two digits of the ddb.uuid.For Example:
   
   Change:
   
   ddb.uuid = "60 00 C2 99 35 3b 32 63-3e fd 9f 72 a5 83 46 c5"
   
   To:
   
   ddb.uuid = "60 00 C2 99 35 3b 32 63-3e fd 9f 72 a5 83 46 23"
   
   
4. Save and close the file.
5. Remove the virtual machine from inventory.
6. Register the virtual machine to the inventory.
   For more information, see Registering or adding a virtual machine to the inventory on vCenter Server or on an ESX/ESXi host (1006160).
7. Power on the virtual machine.

Additional Information

How to register/add a VM to the Inventory in vCenter Server
Editing files on an ESX host using vi or nano
Using ESXi Shell in ESXi 5.x and 6.x