When trying to delete a folder from the Datastore Browser, the error “Failed - Error caused by file [filepath]” occurs.

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• When attempting to delete a file from the datastore browser in the Host Client, the following error occurs.
  

  Description
  Delete the source file or folder from the datastore
  
  State
  Failed - Error caused by file [filepath]

   
• The delete task was executed from the Datastore Browser while a file lock was still in place, such as during an ongoing deletion process.
  
  
• In the ESXi vmkernel logs for the host where the Delete Datastore File task was run, a “Lock failed” error like the following can be seen.
  

  YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS.ZZZZ cpu90:2101165 opID=[opid])Fil3: 5008: Lock failed on file: [File name] on vol '[Datastore Name]' with FD: <FD c37 r89>

   
• It can be confirmed in hostd that processing is in the VM_STATE_DELETING state.
  
  

  YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS.ZZZZ info hostd[2101540] [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/[File Path] opID=[opid] user=vpxuser:[SSO account]] State Transition (VM_STATE_OFF -> VM_STATE_DELETING)
  YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS.ZZZZ info hostd[2101540] [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/[File Path] opID=[opid] user=vpxuser:[SSO account]] State Transition (VM_STATE_DELETING -> VM_STATE_GONE)

Environment

ESXi 8.0

Cause

The Delete Datastore File task fails because a file lock is still being held.

Resolution

• Wait until the task holding the file lock completes.
• identify the ESXi host that holds the file lock using the steps below, investigate the cause, and take corrective action.

Reference『Investigating Virtual Machine file locks on ESXi Host(s)』
https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/314365