The attempt to add an existing host to a new vCenter fails with the error message: "Cannot complete login due to an incorrect username or password."

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi
• VMware vCenter Server 8.0

Issue/Introduction

If, for any reason, the customer is moving hosts from one vCenter to another:

• The root account is functioning properly, and the password is valid.
• The host is responsive and operating normally in the Web Client.
• No firewalls (either external or the ESXi firewall rules) are blocking the connection.
• ESXi certificates are valid, and licenses are up to date.
• We can initiate the addition process and see the list of VMs, networks, and datastores on the host.
• Restarting the management agents via the command line completes successfully but does not resolve the issue.
• The host is not currently managed by any vCenter, as it was removed from the old vCenter using the host's web client.

 

1. The host has been running for a considerable amount of time.
   
   
2. The hostd.log shows the login and reconfiguration process for vpxuser proceeding normally, but it ends with errors after the opId related to the connection attempt.
   

   HTTP Connection read failed while waiting for further requests [N7Vmwacore4HttpConnectionE:0x000000000xXxXxXxXx] N7Vmacore16TimeoutExceptionE(Operation timed out)

   
   
   
3. The vpxd.log states
   

   Folder.addStandaloneHost: :vim.fault.InvalidLogin:

   
   
   
4. When attempting to reconnect the host on the vCenter GUI, you will see the following message in the monitor section (tasks/events).
   
   

Environment

vCenter:

8.0.X

7.0.X

=================

ESXi:

7.0 GA

7.0 U3i

Cause

Issue with the management agents.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, restart the host's management agents from the DCUI | Restart Management agents in ESXi Using Direct Console User Interface (DCUI)

Additional Information

Note: When adding the host to the cluster, it may not be automatically moved and could remain at the datacenter level. You can drag the host into the cluster later.