This issue is caused by a stale entry in the ADAM database.
Note: You must install Windows Support Tools to gain access to ADSI Edit, if this option is not already available within Administrative tools on the vCenter Server.
Warning: VMware recommends backing up the ADAM database before</u> making any changes.
To connect to the ADAM database:
- Log in to the vCenter Server.
- To open ADSI Edit, click Start > Run, type adsiedit.msc, and press Enter.
- Right-click ADSI Edit and click Connect to.
- In the Connection point section, click Select or type a Distinguished Name or Naming Context.
- Enter dc=virtualcenter, dc=vmware, dc=int
- In the Computer section, click Select or type a domain or server: (Server | Domain [:port]).
- Enter localhost
- Click OK.
- Navigate to DC=virtualcenter,DC=vmware,DC=int, OU=Licensing, OU=LicenseEntities. You see the CN=license_key containers.
- Right-click the container that shows the the serial number of the key that is negative within the vCenter Server Licensing page.
- Click Delete.
- Restart the VMware Virtual Center Server service. For more information, see Stopping, starting, or restarting VMware vCenter Server services (1003895).