"Invalid configuration for device ''x" error when re-connecting or removing VM's network adapter

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• VM edit settings option is greyed out or inaccessible in vCenter.
• VM edit settings remain accessible when logging directly into the ESXi host client managing the VM.
• The VM may have recently had hardware changes, such as adding a new Network Interface Card (NIC).
• You may notice VM has a duplicate or invalid network adapter configuration.
• Attempting to remove or reconnect the VM network adapter triggers errors such as:
  
  "Failed - Invalid configuration for device '28'" (or other numeric device IDs).
  
  
• /var/run/log/hostd.log on ESXi host reports following error :
  
  Device spec doesn't match up with dvport/dvpg configuration.

Environment

VMware vCenter Server Appliance 7.x
VMware vCenter Server Appliance 8.x

Cause

This issue is caused by a VM configuration mismatch or corruption where duplicate network adapters are assigned to the same slot or share the same identifier. When vCenter detects an invalid hardware configuration (e.g., two adapters with the same name or corrupted slot keys), it applies a UI safety block, greying out the "Edit Settings" menu to prevent further database inconsistencies.

Resolution

To restore access to the VM settings, you must purge the corrupted device entries and re-apply a clean configuration by following steps:

1. Login directly to the ESXi Host Client
2. Go to VM -> Actions -> Edit settings, verify the network adapter list for duplicates or misconfigurations.
3. Shutdown the VM
4. Remove all the network adapters and click save.
5. Re-open VM edit settings and add network adapter
6. Ensure a valid Port Group is selected and click save.
7. Return to the vCenter and verify that the VM edit settings option is no longer greyed out.
8. Power on the VM and confirm that the guest operating system recognizes the network adapter and has connectivity.

Additional Information

"Invalid Configuration for Device 0" error powering on / Cloning virtual machine