The Deactivate option is grayed out and the "Only alert groups by definition can be deactivated" message is displayed

Products

• VCF Operations/Automation (formerly VMware Aria Suite)

Issue/Introduction

• Unable/Can't deactivate alert via Alert Definition Group > Actions > Deactivate as outlined in Deactivating Alerts in VMware Aria Operations techdoc
• Logged in as local admin user
• Need to disable\pause few cluster related alerts from the vROps

Environment

vROps Aria Ops 8.16

Cause

• Confusing an alert for an Alert Definition Group.
• The Deactivate option can only be used on an Alert Definition Group and not an alert.

Resolution

Step 2 of the Deactivating Alerts in VMware Aria Operations techdoc states: From the Group By drop-down, select Definition, and click on the name of the Alert Definition Group.

• Do not open the Alert Definition Group using the > symbol.
• Select/highlight the Alert Definition Group to access the Deactivate option under ACTIONS.

Example: 
Here we have selected/highlighted the License has expired Alert Definition Group: