Unable to remove a empty cluster from Data Center

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

When attempting to delete an empty cluster object from the vCenter Server inventory, the following error message is received:

• The operation is not allowed in the current state.  Cluster destroy is not allowed on <Cluster Name>...

Environment

• vSphere 7.x
• vSphere 8.x

Cause

There can be varying causes preventing the deletion of an empty cluster object, which will be stated in the error message that is received when attempting to perform the delete operation. 

Resolution

1. Temporarily add a host back into the cluster that you wish to remove.
2. Disable vSAN on the cluster to remove by following: Enabling or disabling a vSAN cluster
3. Remove the host from the cluster.
4. Attempt to remove the cluster again.

If you are unable to temporarily add a host to the cluster or disabling vSAN on the cluster does not resolve the issue then please open a case with Broadcom Support to troubleshoot the deletion of the cluster object, as there may be specific resolution steps depending on the exact error message that is received.