While applying ESXi updates to a two-node (+ witness) vSAN cluster, a node is not reconnecting after being updated.

Products

• VMware vSAN 7.x

Issue/Introduction

Updating hosts in a 2 node stretch cluster

Host fails to reconnect to vCenter due to forgotten root password

Environment

VMware vSAN (All Versions)

2 node stretched cluster 

Cause

Root password was lost.

Resolution

Reinstall ESXi on the impacted host

Follow KB How to add a host back to a vSAN cluster after an ESXi host rebuild to ad the host back into the vSAN cluster.