VM console or VMRC console showing black screen

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

Trying to open VM console or VMRC console showing black screen without progress.

RDP to same VM is working.

 

In VM logs (located inside VM folder) you see similar entries

vmware.log:2025-03-28T05:56:40.838Z In(05) vmx - Issuing new webmks ticket 691c80... (120 seconds)
vmware.log:2025-03-28T05:56:46.441Z In(05) mks - Accepting connection for webmks ticket 691c80...
vmware.log:2025-03-28T05:56:46.441Z In(05) mks - Expiring webmks ticket 691c80...
vmware.log:2025-03-28T05:56:46.441Z In(05) mks - Releasing webmks ticket 691c80...

 

In ESXI hostd logs you see similar entries

On ESXi navigate to /var/run/log to access hostd.log

 

2025-03-28T05:56:48.155Z info hostd[2100932] [Originator@6876 sub=Solo.Vmomi opID=5c31be55-c3-0b0a user=vpxuser:####\####] Throw vim.fault.GenericVmConfigFault
2025-03-28T05:56:48.155Z info hostd[2100932] [Originator@6876 sub=Solo.Vmomi opID=5c31be55-c3-0b0a user=vpxuser:####\####] Result:
--> (vim.fault.GenericVmConfigFault) {
-->    faultMessage = (vmodl.LocalizableMessage) [
-->       (vmodl.LocalizableMessage) {
-->          key = "msg.mks.failedResolutionSet",
-->          message = "Resolution update request could not be completed in guest.",
-->       }
-->    ],
-->    reason = "Resolution update request could not be completed in guest.",
-->    msg = "Resolution update request could not be completed in guest.
--> "
--> }
2025-03-28T05:56:48.155Z error hostd[2100932] [Originator@6876 sub=Req@internalvim25... opID=5c31be55-c3-0b0a user=vpxuser:####\####] Method vim.VirtualMachine.setScreenResolution threw und
eclared fault of type vim.fault.GenericVmConfigFault

Environment

vSphere 7.x

vSphere 8.x

Cause

VM tools couldn't set resolution for console leading to stuck console.

Resolution

To resolve this behavior reboot VM.

If issue is still present verify tools version and if needed reinstall them using latest available version.