Add permission failed! - The object or item referred to could not be found error triggered when applying a Custom Role

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

When applying a custom role to a user on the Inventory, the assignment fails with “Add permission failed! - The object or item referred to could not be found”



When applying a custom role to a user under Global permission, the assignment fails with “Add permission failed! – Internal Error”

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 7.0.x

Cause

The cause of the problem is something related to the custom role.
It could be caused due to invalid character in the role such a space at the end or the beginning of the name. 

Resolution

To test if the problem is the custom role or something else do the following:
- Create a new role with simple name: VMwarerole
- Create a new user with simple name: VMwareuser
- Assign the permissions, if it works then mostly sure you are having an issue with a corrupted role.

You can recreate the role or check the name for any invalid characters.