Virtual machine fails to power on with Invalid metadata errors

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

You have a virtual machine that fails to power on. 

• The vmware.log in the virtual machine folder has errors similar to these below. 

Sep 21 23:19:52.728: vmx| Msg_Post: Error
Sep 21 23:19:52.728: vmx| [msg.vmmonVMK.creatVMFailed] Could not power on VM : Invalid metadata.
Sep 21 23:19:52.728: vmx| [msg.monitorLoop.createVMFailed] Failed to power on VM-------

• You may also see errors similar to this in the /var/log/vmkernel.log on the ESXi host.
  
  Sep 21 21:52:56 besxps01 vmkernel: 3:09:23:06.771 cpu3:1089)WARNING: Swap: 2056: Set file length failed:status Invalid metadata, length 2166784KB
Sep 21 21:52:56 besxps01 vmkernel: 3:09:23:06.771 cpu3:1089)WARNING: MemSched: vm 1090: 2957: insufficient swap: need=2166784
Sep 21 21:52:56 besxps01 vmkernel: 3:09:23:06.771 cpu3:1089)WARNING: World: vm 1090: 911: init fn memsched failed with: Invalid metadata
Sep 21 21:52:56 besxps01 vmkernel: 3:09:23:06.771 cpu3:1089)WARNING: World: vm 1090: 1776: WorldInit failed: trying to cleanup.
  

Environment

A virtual machine running on an ESXi host that will not power on. 

Cause

There is likely invalid metadata on the datastore which the virtual machine resides. 

Resolution

To resolve these issues and power on the virtual machine once again:

1. Move the virtual machine to either local disk or a different datastore.
2. Power on the virtual machine from the new location.