Unable to configure replication for virtual machine because group cannot be created

Products

• VMware Live Recovery

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

If you have force stopped a VM replication from local site (outgoing), but not the corresponding replication on the remote site (incoming) then you will get an error message mentioned below & won't be able to re-add this VM to replication. 

ERROR
Operation Failed
Unable to configure replication for virtual machine 'virtual machine' because group 'virtual machine' cannot be created. Another virtual machine 'virtual machine' that has the same instance UUID '50206a21-d177-e2ea-7085-c950815fd0b2' already exists on protection site '(Protected Site)'.
Operation ID: c4eb75b7-ee33-4086-a385-3ba2553c5ea6

Environment

VMware vSphere Replication 8.x

Cause

The connection between the vSphere Replication sites must be working to stop a replication on both sites. Alternatively, you can force stop the replication on the local site by selecting Force stop replication. If the remote site is available, you must also use the Site Recovery user interface to force stop the corresponding replication on the remote site. If you force stop an outgoing replication, the replication can still be recovered by using the Site Recovery user interface on the remote site. 

Resolution

Check both replication sites (incoming and outgoing tabs) to see if you can find the VM you force stopped there. If you do, remove the VM from replication by performing a force stop again. 

Try adding the VM to replication now, it must work.