Linux VMs won't allow input from the keyboard when using the VM console.
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Linux VMs won't allow input from the keyboard when using the VM console.

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Article ID: 415236

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Updated On:

Products

VMware vSphere ESXi VMware vCenter Server VMware vCenter Server 8.0 Remote Console

Issue/Introduction

  • When using the console connection for a Linux-based virtual machine via the ESXi Web GUI, vCenter GUI, or VMware Remote Console (VMRC), intermittent keyboard input failure may occur, where the console stops accepting characters or ignores input entirely.
  • Text input to the console using the Windows onscreen keyboard on the PC / Workstation experience the issue.
  • Text input to the console using another VM such as a jump box also experience the issue.
  • Text input to the console of Windows VMs works as expected.
  • VMware Tools or Open VM Tools is installed and running, as indicated in the ESXi or vCenter GUI.
  • VMware Tools or Open VM Tools must be installed for full vSphere console functionality.

Environment

  • VMware vSphere ESXi 8.x
  • VMware vSphere vCenter 8.x
  • VMware Remote Console 12.x

Cause

Third party issue with physical hardware / operating system on the PC / Workstation where the physical keyboard is plugged in.

Resolution

Perform the following steps to resolve the keyboard unresponsiveness:

  • Restart the physical PC or workstation used to access the console.
  • Scroll lock may be enabled on your keyboard 
    • Make sure the console is in focus and disable scroll lock by pressing the scroll lock or ScrLck key on your keyboard
  • Test the console using a different physical workstation to rule out local client profile corruption.
  • Restart the vCenter Server services.
    1. SSH into the vCenter server.
    2. Stop the services by running the below command:
    service-control --stop --all

    3. Start the services by running the below command:

    service-control --start --all
  • If the issue continues after restarting services, refer to these articles:

Additional Information