Snapshot using a Snapshot Manager fails with the Error: "Operation not allowed in current state" when creating a snapshot or clone in vSphere
Article ID: 334177
Updated On:
Products
Issue/Introduction
- Attempting a snapshot or clone for a virtual machine fails. This occurs in the vSphere Client, VMware Consolidated Backup, or third-party solutions (e.g., Veeam, vRanger)..
- The following errors appear in vCenter Server:
Cannot create snapshot
Operation not allowed in current state
- The virtual machine, VMware vCenter Server, and the host appear to be running without problems, but the error persists.
- The ESXi host `/var/log/hostd.log` contains:
[YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS.Z error 'vm:/vmfs/volumes/######-######/VMNAME/VMNAME.vmx'] Invalid transition requested (VM_STATE_ON_SHUTTING_DOWN -> VM_STATE_CREATE_SNAPSHOT): Invalid state
Environment
VMware vSphere ESXi 6.x / 7.x / 8.x
VMware vCenter Server 6.x / 7.x / 8.x
Cause
This issue occurs if the host management agents (hostd/vpxa) enter an inconsistent state, often reporting the VM is in an `ON_SHUTTING_DOWN` state even if it is powered on and running. This can also be triggered by active PCI passthrough devices or corrupted snapshot metadata.
Resolution
Fixed in vSphere 8.0 Update 1 and higher. See Download Broadcom products and software for steps to download the latest release.
If an immediate workaround is required:
1. Verify the VM does not have PCI/DirectPath IO devices attached. If a PCI device is present, power off the VM to take a snapshot.
2. Disable the **Virtual machine startup/shutdown with host** feature on the ESXi host.
3. Restart the management agents on the ESXi host. Refer to Restarting Management Agents in ESXi
4. Restart the VMware Virtual Center service (`vpxd`). Refer to How to stop, start, or restart vCenter Server services
5. Attempt the snapshot or clone again.
If the issue persists, inspect the VM's `.vmsd` file for corrupted snapshot UIDs.
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