Error: "No host is compatible with the virtual machine" when attempting to power on VM after exposing hardware assisted virtualization to the guest OS

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• VM power on operation fails with:
  
  No host is compatible with the virtual machine

The target host does not support the virtual machine’s current hardware requirements.Use a cluster with Enhanced vMotion Compatibility (EVC) enabled to create a uniform set of CPU features across the cluster, or use per-VM EVC for a consistent set of CPU features for a virtual machine and allow the virtual machine to be moved to a host capable of supporting that set of CPU features. See KB article 1003212 for cluster EVC information.

Virtualized hardware Virtualization support is unavailable. This may be because Intel VT-x/ AMD-V is disabled in BIOS.
  
  
• vCenter - /var/log/vmware/vpxd/vpxd.log
  
  Power on failed: (vim.fault.GenericVmConfigFault) {
   faultCause = (vmodl.MethodFault) null,
   faultMessage = (vmodl.LocalizableMessage) [
      (vmodl.LocalizableMessage) {
         key = "msg.featurecompat.requirement.number.minimumNotMet",
         arg = (vmodl.KeyAnyValue) [
            (vmodl.KeyAnyValue) {
               key = "1",
               value = "bad_requirement:hv.capable"
            },
            (vmodl.KeyAnyValue) {
               key = "2",
               value = "0"
            },
            (vmodl.KeyAnyValue) {
               key = "3",
               value = "1"
            }
         ],
         message = "Feature 'bad_requirement:hv.capable' was 0, but must be at least 1."
      },
      (vmodl.LocalizableMessage) {
         key = "msg.moduletable.powerOnFailed",
         arg = (vmodl.KeyAnyValue) [
            (vmodl.KeyAnyValue) {
               key = "1",
               value = "FeatureCompatLate"
            }
         ],
         message = "Module 'FeatureCompatLate' power on failed. "
      },
      (vmodl.LocalizableMessage) {
         key = "msg.vmx.poweron.failed",
         arg = <unset>,
         message = "Failed to start the virtual machine."
      }
   ],
   reason = "Feature 'bad_requirement:hv.capable' was 0, but must be at least 1."
   msg = "Feature 'bad_requirement:hv.capable' was 0, but must be at least 1.

Cause

EVC enabled on the cluster or VM does not contain the Intel VT-x feature set. For more information, refer to Ensuring Virtualization Technology is enabled on your VMware host.

Resolution

1. Ensure that Intel VT-x is supported by the hardware.
   
   
2. Ensure that Intel VT-x is enabled in BIOS. For more information, refer to Determining if Intel Virtualization Technology or AMD Virtualization is enabled in the BIOS without rebooting the ESXi host.
   • To check via command line:
     1. SSH to the ESXi host
     2. Run the following command:
        
        esxcfg-info|grep "\----\HV Support"
        
        
3. Ensure the feature set Intel VT-x is available on the VM.
   • To check this directly on the VM or from cluster:
     1. In the vCenter UI, navigate to the VM
     2. Select on Configure tab
     3. Click on VMware EVC
     4. Expand CPU Feature Set
        
        
4. If the feature set Intel VT-x is unavailable in the selected EVC mode, choose a relevant EVC mode that contains the Intel VT-x feature set.

Additional Information

VMware EVC and CPU Compatibility FAQ