ESXi host fails to enter Maintenance Mode

Products

• VMware vSAN

Issue/Introduction

• ESXi host cannot enter maintenance mode and task shows as "cancelled".
• During the task, vpxa shows HA configure file not found.

/var/run/log/vpxa.log

Er(163) Vpxa[2103874]: --> (vim.fault.FileNotFound) {
Er(163) Vpxa[2103874]: -->    faultCause = (vmodl.MethodFault) null,
Er(163) Vpxa[2103874]: -->    faultMessage = <unset>,
Er(163) Vpxa[2103874]: -->    file = "ds:///vmfs/volumes/<local datastore UUID>//.vSphere-HA/FDM-xxxx"
Er(163) Vpxa[2103874]: -->    msg = ""
Er(163) Vpxa[2103874]: --> }
Er(163) Vpxa[2103874]: --> Args:
Er(163) Vpxa[2103874]: -->
Er(163) Vpxa[2103874]: --> Arg url:
Er(163) Vpxa[2103874]: --> "ds:///vmfs/volumes/local datastore UUID//.vSphere-HA/FDM-xxxx"
Er(163) Vpxa[2103874]: --> Arg fileType:
Er(163) Vpxa[2103874]: --> "File"
Er(163) Vpxa[2103874]: --> Arg recursive:
Er(163) Vpxa[2103874]: --> true

Environment

vSphere ESXi 8.x

Cause

vSphere HA configuration folder is on a local Datastore.

Steps to Validate HA Configuration Path: ( via vSphere Client )

• Navigate to the Hosts and Clusters view and select the cluster.
• Go to Configure -> vSphere Availability -> Heartbeat Datastores.
• Review the datastores listed. If a local datastore is listed, HA heartbeat files are stored there.

Resolution

In this case, disable vSphere HA and then place the host into maintenance mode.