Impact of vCenter/ESXi license expiration

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi
• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

This KB article outlines the operational impacts resulting from the expiration of an ESXi host or vCenter Server license.

Environment

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

Resolution

ESXi Host License Expiration:
Upon the expiration of an ESXi host license:

• The ESXi host appears disconnected within the vSphere Client.
• Virtual machines (VMs) residing on this host also display as disconnected in the vSphere Client.
• Consequently, management operations (e.g., configuration changes, resource adjustments) on the host and its virtual machines are impaired due to their disconnected status within vSphere.
• Direct access to the ESXi host's user interface (UI) via its IP address in a web browser remains functional.
• Currently running virtual machines will continue to operate without interruption. However, virtual machines that were previously powered off cannot be powered on.
• New virtual machine creation is possible; however, any subsequent attempt to power on these newly created virtual machines will fail.

vCenter Server License Expiration:
Upon the expiration of a vCenter Server license:

• All managed ESXi hosts and their associated virtual machines appear disconnected within the vSphere Client.
• While removing an existing host from vCenter Server remains possible, attempts to add new ESXi hosts to the vCenter Server will fail.

Additional Information

Japanese KB:
  vCenter / ESXi ライセンスの有効期限切れの影響