Power on task for a virtual machine failed with "license key has expired" while the VM has a valid license
Article ID: 410236
Updated On:
Products
Issue/Introduction
VM fails to power on with the error:
Operation failed
Task name: Power On virtual machine
Target: <VM_Name>
Status: License key has expired
"Check system date or install a new license."
Verify the ESXi host is assigned a valid license in vCenter.
Environment
vCenter 7.x
vCenter 8.x
Cause
This can be caused by a vCenter license issue.
This issue can also be caused by log exhaustion as that has been shown to be a cause of this issue in some vCenter environments.
Resolution
Restart vCenter services.
service-control --stop --all && service-control --start --all
If it is likely an issue with log exhaustion, follow the KB for vCenter log exhaustion.
Additional Information
If this fails, please gather the support bundle for the vCenter and ESXi host where the VM resides in, see KB Collecting diagnostic information for VMware vCenter Server 7.x and 8.x and upload to the SR for this issue, see KB Uploading files to cases on the Broadcom Support Portal.
If the ESXi host is unlicensed, see KB Managing licenses on ESXi hosts using the vSphere Client.
If it is likely an issue with log exhaustion, follow the KB for vCenter log exhaustion.
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