VMware vCenter Server fails to boot and shows a black screen with a blinking/flashing cursor
search cancel

VMware vCenter Server fails to boot and shows a black screen with a blinking/flashing cursor

book

Article ID: 413871

calendar_today

Updated On:

Products

VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

VMware vCenter Server Appliance will power on and show a black screen with a flashing/blinking cursor

Cannot successfully boot the VMware vCenter Server Appliance completely

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 7.x
VMware vCenter Server 8.x

Cause

This issue occurs when there is file system corruption of the VMware vCenter Server Appliance

Resolution

Process to perform a forced file system check of all mount points on vCenter Server Appliance(VCSA):

  1. Take a snapshot or backup of the vCenter Server Appliance before proceeding.
    • Caution: Do not skip this step
    • Note: If the vCenter Server Appliance is on an ESXi hosts it manages, connect directly to the ESXi host that it is located on to perform these steps.
  2. Reboot the vCenter Server Appliance.
  3. After the VCSA Photon OS starts, press the e key to enter the GNU GRUB Edit Menu.
  4. Locate the line that begins with the word "Linux".
  5. Append these entries to the end of the line -

    fsck.mode=force fsck.repair=yes

    The line should look like the following screenshot:

  6. Press the F10 key to continue booting.
Powered by Wolken Software