VM Network Adapter Error: 'Port Group Not Found

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

The VM VNIC's adapter, associated with a vSwitch or VDS port group, failed with the error: "Port group" could not be found.

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 7.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 8.x

Cause

This is expected behavior: if a VM is moved to an ESXi host that lacks a port group with the exact same name, it will not connect.

Resolution

Create a port group with an identical name, then assign the VM's vNIC adapter to it.