Virtual Machine deployment from template fails with error: “Network interface 'Network adapter <#>' uses network 'DvPortGroup: <portgroup_name>', which is not accessible.”

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

When attempting to deploy a new virtual machine from an existing template, the following error is displayed during the deployment process:

Network interface 'Network adapter <#>' uses network 'DvPortGroup: <portgroup_name>', which is not accessible.

As a result, the deployment task fails, and the virtual machine is not created.

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 
VMware vSphere ESXi

Cause

This issue occurs when the network reference stored within the VM template no longer matches a valid Distributed Port Group (dvPortGroup) that is accessible by the target host or cluster.

Resolution

Option 1 – Re-map the network during deployment

1. During the Deploy from Template wizard, navigate to the Select networks step.

2. Click “Select a different network” for each affected network adapter.

3. Choose the correct Distributed Port Group accessible to the target host or cluster.

4. Complete the deployment.

5. This remaps the VM to an available network without modifying the original template.

 

Option 2 – Update the network configuration in the template

1. Convert the template back to a virtual machine:

2. Right-click the template → Convert to Virtual Machine.

3. Edit the VM settings:

4. Go to Network adapter 1 and select the correct dvPortGroup.

5. Convert the VM back to a template:

6. Right-click the VM → Convert to Template.

Note: Future deployments from this template will automatically use the updated and accessible network.

Additional Information

To prevent recurrence, always re-map or update template networks after a vCenter or DVS migration.