SDDC Manager Host Precheck Failure: VM Fault during EMM Dry Run Validation.

Products

• VMware SDDC Manager / VCF Installer

Issue/Introduction

• Error description: A VM faults were found while performing EMM dry run enter in maintenance mode validation
• Log Snippet Example from /var/log/vmware/vcf/operationsmanager/operationsmanager.log

  [TIMESTAMP] INFO [vcf_om,[ID],[ID]] [c.v.v.b.e.v.EsxiDryRunEmmValidator,precheck-validation9] Dry run host enter maintenance mode (queryWhatIfEnterMaintenance) faults by VMs = [{"vm":{"_type":"VirtualMachine","_value":"[VM_ID]","_serverGuid":"[GUID]"},"faults":[{"_msg":"The operation is not allowed in the current state.","_faultMsg":[{"key":"com.vmware.cdrs.maintenancemode.manual","message":"Failed to move a VM out of maintenance mode candidate host since the VM is in manual mode."}]}]}]

  
  

• Remediation steps suggesting an issue with a Virtual machine preventing the migration to another host like the example below referring to a vDS network configuration issue:
  
  Currently connected network interface 'Network validation adapter 1' uses network 'DVSwitch: '## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ## ##' which is not accessible.

Environment

VMware SDDC Manager 4.x
VMware SDDC Manager 5.x

Cause

The "Enter Maintenance Mode" (EMM) dry run fails because one or more Virtual Machines (VMs) pinned to the host cannot be automatically evacuated via vMotion. Specific triggers include:

• Manual DRS: VMs configured with a Manual DRS automation level or VM Overrides.
• Local Storage: VMs (such as KMS) residing on local datastores instead of shared storage.
• Affinity Rules: Active VM/Host affinity rules or VM DRS override rules restricting mobility.
• Configuration Issues: VMs missing a valid network adapter or having disconnected virtual hardware.

Resolution

1. Identify the specific VM(s) listed in the operationsmanager.log or the SDDC Manager UI remediation message.
2. In the vSphere Client, navigate to the Cluster > Configure > vSphere DRS > VM Overrides.
3. Ensure the Automation Level for the affected VM is set to Fully Automated or Use Cluster Settings .
4. If mobility is restricted by affinity rules, temporarily disable the restrictive rules via the vSphere Client .
5. If a VM cannot be migrated (e.g., local storage), manually power off the VM during the maintenance window .
6. (Optional) If the precheck state remains cached after corrections, restart the LCM service on the SDDC Manager: systemctl restart lcm 
7. Retry the precheck or upgrade from the SDDC Manager console.

Additional Information

Place an ESXi Host in Maintenance Mode in the VMware Host Client