Unable to enter maintenance mode for last ESXi host in cluster when vCLS does not stop

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

When you attempt to put the last ESXi host in a cluster into maintenance mode, vCLS normally stops automatically—allowing the host to enter maintenance mode. However, if the ESXi host you’re targeting is also running the vCenter Server VM and the vCenter Server service is shut down before the vCLS agents, the vCLS VMs will remain running and the host will fail to enter maintenance mode.

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 7.0.x
VMware vCenter Server 8.0.x

Cause

vSphere Cluster Services (vCLS) are managed by vCenter Server and run on each host in a cluster. If vCenter Server is offline or has been powered off before the vCLS VMs receive their stop commands, those VMs stay active and block the host from entering maintenance mode.

Resolution

 

1. Shut down all virtual machines on the ESXi host except the vCenter Server VM and the vCLS VMs.

2. Before entering maintenance mode on the last ESXi host in the cluster, put the cluster into Retreat Mode to delete the vCLS VMs.

3. Using the Host Client, shut down the vCenter Server VM on that ESXi host.

4. In the Host Client, place the ESXi host into Maintenance Mode.

 

Additional Information

Disable vCLS on a Cluster via Retreat Mode