Adding an ESXi/ESX host to vCenter Server fails with the error: The evaluation Mode license assigned to Host has expired

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• Adding an ESXi/ESX host to vCenter Server fails
• You see the error:
  
  The evaluation Mode license assigned to Host hostname has expired. Recommend updating the license

Cause

This issue occurs if the date and time in the BIOS is incorrect.

 

When you add an ESXi  host with a incorrect system time to vCenter Server, the license is converted to an evaluation license that immediately expires.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, set the correct date and time in the host BIOS, reboot the host, then add the host to the vCenter Server inventory.

For more information on setting the correct date and time in the BIOS, consult your vendor.

Additional Information