"Host not compatible with the image" compliance error in vSphere Lifecycle Manager

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

When you perform a compliance check in a cluster managed by a vSphere Lifecycle Manager (vLCM) single image, the task fails. The vSphere Client displays the error: "Error: Host not compatible with the image".

Going to Cluster → Hosts → Image gives a warning showing that existing host images are not all the same

While the ESXi version is the same for both images, the Vendor Addon is different.

Environment

vSphere 8.x

Cause

This issue occurs when the cluster image definition—including the base Elastic Sky X Integrated (ESXi) version, vendor add-ons, or additional components differs from the versions currently installed on the host. This version mismatch prevents the host from being compliant with the desired cluster state

For example, a discrepancy in the Vendor Add-on version can result in the host being non-compliant with the cluster image, leading to compliance failure.

In Updates → Hosts → Image, under Image Compliance, we see the message "Host not compatible with the image".

Resolution

To resolve this error, align the cluster image with the host components or remediate the host to match the image:

1. Log in to the vSphere Client.
2. Select the affected Cluster and navigate to the Updates tab.
3. Select Hosts → Image.
4. Review the versions for ESXi Version, Vendor Addon, Firmware and Drivers Addon, and Components.
5. Identify which component version on the host differs from the cluster image.
6. Update the cluster image to include the missing or newer component version, or click Remediate to update the host to match the cluster image.