"Cannot download software packages from patch source. Check the events and the Update Manager log for download details" error when remediating the ESXi host using VMware Update Manager

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

 If this issue relates to a failed upgrade of ESXi7.0U2, please see KB 83107  
 

• Modifying the ESXi host using VMware Update Manager fails.
• You see the errors:

Cannot download VIB files from patch source. Check the Update Manager log for download details
or 
Cannot download software packages from patch source
 

Environment

VMware vSphere Update Manager 5.1.x
VMware vSphere Update Manager 5.0.x
VMware vCenter Update Manager 4.1.x
VMware vCenter Update Manager 4.0.x
VMware vCenter Update Manager 6.0.x
VMware vSphere Update Manager 5.5.x
VMware vCenter Server Appliance 6.7.x
VMware vCenter Server Appliance 6.5.x
VMware Update Manager 7.0
VMware vCenter Server 7.0.x
VMware vCenter Update Manager 1.0.x

Cause

This issue occurs if there are invalid entries in the Update Manager Database or if the host is unable to retrieve the updates from the patch repository. 

Resolution

To resolve this issue, use one of these options to reset update manager database:

• Reinitialize the VMware vCenter Update Manager database. For more information, see Initializing the VMware vCenter Update Manager database without reinstalling it (2043170).
• Reset the Update Manager Database and Patch Store on a vCenter Server Appliance 6.5 or vCenter Server Appliance 6.7. For more information, see Resetting VMware Update Manager Database on a vCenter Server Appliance 6.5 or vCenter Server Appliance 6.7 (2147284).

Note: Ensure to take a backup of database, custom configuration on Update Manager will be lost after resetting the database.

• You should also review the following KB to ensure the required ports are open between the nodes. VMware vCenter Update Manager network port requirements (1004543).

Note: If the issue still exists after trying above steps, file a support request with VMware Support and note this Knowledge Base article ID (64995) in the problem description. For more information, see How to file a Support Request in Customer Connect (2006985).