Error: "Could not initialize plugin 'libnvidia-vgx.so' for vGPU '<vGPU policy>'. Failed to start the virtual machine. Module PCIPluginLate power on failed."

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• VMs not powering On 

• Following error is seen in the vmware.log file:

  In(05) vcpu-6 - Guest: vm3d: Memory required for all screens exceeds maximum (required=##### max=#####)

• Similar messages can be seen in the vpxa.log file:

  message = "Could not initialize plugin 'libnvidia-vgx.so' for vGPU 'grid_t4-2b'."

  message = "Module 'PCIPluginLate' power on failed."

Environment

8.x, 8.0U3

Cause

The guest VM's display driver requires more video memory to initialize its display configuration than the VM (VM configuration or vGPU profile) is able to provide. 

Resolution

Please review the following:

• vGPU profile:

  The VM has been assigned an NVIDIA vGPU profile that is providing insufficient memory.

• Guest OS display settings:

  The guest OS is attempting to configure a display resolution or number of monitors that demands more video memory than the currently assigned vGPU profile can offer.

• VMware Tools / NVIDIA Drivers (Guest):

  Outdated or corrupted VMware Tools or NVIDIA vGPU drivers within the guest OS might misreport memory requirements or available memory, though less likely than a profile mismatch given the explicit "exceeds maximum" message.