Assigning license to an ESXi host fails with error: "A specified parameter was not correct: licenseKey"
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Article ID: 334645
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Updated On:
Products
VMware vSphere ESXi
Issue/Introduction
Applying license to a host fails with the error:
A specified parameter was not correct: licenseKey.
License can be added to vCenter Server but it is not displayed while adding a host.
Manually entering the license key while adding the host using Assign a license key displays a message. Some features will become unavailable and the host add fails with the error: A specified parameter was not correct: licenseKey.
Environment
VMware vSphere ESXi 5.1
Cause
This issue usually occurs when the assigned license is higher than the license supported for the host.\
For example, assigning a VMware vSphere 5.5 Enterprise Plus license to a host running ESXi 5.1 results in failure of adding the host to the vCenter Server.
Resolution
Perform a restricted downgrade of the license. An ESXi 5.1 host can be assigned with a higher license by downgrading the license.
Additional Information
You can reuse the vSphere 5.5 license after you upgrade the host to ESXi 5.5.