ESXi license assignment fails with error "Cannot add the following license keys. Existing Licenses Fix or remove these license keys to proceed."

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Assigning a license to the ESXi host fails with the error:

"Cannot add the following license keys. Existing Licenses: ####### Fix or remove these license keys to proceed."

Environment

• VMware vCenter Server 8.x
• VMware vCenter Sever 7.x
• VMware vSphere ESXi 8.x
• VMware vSphere ESXi 7.x

Cause

The issue occurs when assigning a higher version license to a lower version of the host .

Example :

• A license for vSphere 8.0U2b and above , can only be assigned to the ESXi host which are running above version 8.0U2b.
• A license for vSphere 8.0U2b and above , can not be assigned to the host running at 8.0.0a .

Resolution

To resolve the issue :

1. In the vSphere Web Client:
   • Navigate to Administration > Licensing > Licenses.
   • Check if the Valid license has been added to the vCenter .
   • If the added license is valid , then go ahead and check if the license has been assigned on the ESXi host .
   • Administration > Licensing > Licenses > Hosts
   • ESXi hosts that are assigned to the license are seen.

 

     2.If the hosts are not assigned with any licenses , below information is listed .

 

     3.Check from ESXi host .

• • Inventory > ESXi Host > Configure > Licensing 
  • Check whether a valid license is assigned. An Evaluation license is visible because no license has been assigned to the host

     4.If no license has been assigned , then try and assign the license to the host .

• • Click on ESXI Host > Configure > Licensing > Asign License > New License . A new dialogue box appears ,
  • Now enter the license key that was provided by Broadcom .
  • Click OK , it shows below error.

"Cannot add the following license keys. Existing Licenses: #########  Fix or remove these license keys to proceed."

• • Then verify , If the ESXi has the required version to satisfy the license .
  • If the above conditions are met, following options available:

 

Option 1:

Upgrading an ESXi host/hosts to the appropriate licensing version that has been provided by Broadcom .

 

Option 2:

• Downgrade the license to the lowest version of the ESXi host .
• When downgrading vSphere licenses, only downgrade one version level at a time.

          1. A license for vSphere 8.0U2b, can only be immediately downgraded to 8.0.0a.
          2. If the license is for 8.0.0a, can only downgrade to 7.0.

• If unsure about how to downgrade the license, please create a service request with Broadcom for further assistance.

Additional Information

You may refer the following KB article to Upgrade and Downgrade VMware License Keys : 

Upgrade and Downgrade VMware License Keys

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