Error: LW_ERROR_INVALID_MESSAGE [code 0x00009c46] when joining ESXi to AD Domain

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

When trying to join ESXi host to an AD environment the following error is received:

Error: LW_ERROR_INVALID_MESSAGE [code 0x00009c46]

Environment

• VMware vSphere ESXi 7.x

• VMware vSphere ESXi 8.x

Cause

A misconfigured /etc/hosts file that omits the target ESXi host's FQDN causes this error.

example:

# Do not modify this file directly, please use esxcli.
127.0.0.1       localhost.localdomain localhost
::1             localhost.localdomain localhost
###.###.###.### esxi-host

Resolution

Update the /etc/hosts file to include the target ESXi host's FQDN. Additionally, verify that the localhost configuration contains the correct loopback IP, short name, and FQDN.

1. Connect to the ESXi host via SSH.

2. Navigate to the configuration directory by running: cd /etc

3. Open the hosts file in the text editor by running: vi hosts

4. Add the FQDN by pressing i to enter insert mode, then typing the IP address followed by the FQDN and short name (e.g., 192.168.1.10 host.domain.local host).

   Example of /etc/hosts file updated to include FQDN:

   Do not modify this file directly, please use esxcli.

   127.0.0.1       localhost.localdomain localhost
::1             localhost.localdomain localhost
###.###.###.### esxi-host.sample.com esxi-host

5. Save and exit the file by pressing ESC, typing :wq!, and pressing Enter.

6.  Join the ESXi host to the AD Domain.