Error while cloning a VM: You do not have the privilege 'Resource Assign virtual machine to resource pool' on the selected Cluster

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• Unable to select the target compute resource during VM clone operation.
• VM cloning fails with the error:
  • You do not have the privilege 'Resource Assign virtual machine to resource pool' on the selected cluster.
• The issue occurs when using a domain account that does not have the required vSphere privileges

Environment

• VMware vCenter Server Version: 7.x
• VMware ESXi Version: 7.x

Cause

This issue occurs when the user account performing the VM cloning operation does not have the required vSphere privilege Resource > Assign virtual machine to resource pool on the target cluster or resource pool. The cloning workflow requires this privilege to reassign the virtual machine to the appropriate resource pool on the destination cluster. If the privilege is missing or not inherited due to role restrictions or permission assignments, the cloning operation fails with the reported error.

Resolution

To resolve the issue, assign the missing privilege Resource > Assign virtual machine to resource pool to the affected user or group:

1. Log in to the vSphere Client with an account that has Administrator rights.

2. Navigate to Menu > Administration > Roles.

3. Create a new role or edit an existing one, and enable the privilege:

   • Expand Resource.

   • Select Assign virtual machine to resource pool.

4. Assign this role to the affected user or AD group:

   • Go to Menu > Hosts and Clusters.

   • Select the destination Cluster (or specific Resource Pool).

   • Open the Permissions tab and click Add Permission.

   • Select the user/group and apply the role created in step 3.

   • Enable Propagate to children if assigning at the Cluster level.

5. Have the user log out and log back into the vSphere Client.