Delete a file through VMware Host Client's Datastore browser fails with "Failed - The operation is not allowed in the current state."

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• Deleting (or Copying, Moving) a file through VMware Host Client (Datastore browser) fails with "Failed - The operation is not allowed in the current state."
• Using vSphere client (through VMware vCenter server) , the same operation succeeds.
• Following error message can be seen in hostd.log
  

  2025-12-xxTxx:yy:zz.969Z Er(163) Hostd[263242]: [Originator@6876 sub=Hostsvc.ModeMgr opID=esxui-xxxx-yyyy sid=xxxxyyyy user=root] Begin failed: The host state does not allow the operation.
  ...
  2025-12-xxTxx:yy:zz.969Z In(166) Hostd[263242]: [Originator@6876 sub=Nfcsvc opID=esxui-xxxx-yyyy sid=xxxxyyyy user=root] NfcFileOperation: failed to start NFC operation - not in NORMAL_MODE.
  2025-12-xxTxx:yy:zz.969Z In(166) Hostd[263242]: [Originator@6876 sub=AdapterServer opID=esxui-xxxx-yyyy sid=xxxxyyyy user=root] AdapterServer caught exception; <<xxxxyyyy-zzzz-wwww-vvvv-xxxxyyyyzzzz, <TCP '127.0.0.1 : 8307'>, <TCP '127.0.0.1 : 54692'>>, ha-nfc-file-manager, vim.FileManager.deleteFile, <vim.version.v8_0_3_0, official, 8.0.3.0>, (null)>, N3Vim5Fault12InvalidState9ExceptionE(Fault cause: vim.fault.InvalidState
  
  2025-12-02T04:13:04.973Z In(166) Hostd[263242]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vimsvc.TaskManager opID=esxui-xxxx-yyyy sid=xxxxyyyy user=root] Task Completed : haTask--vim.FileManager.deleteFile-236279 Status error

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi

VMware Host Client (esxui)

Cause

VMware Host Client uses internal NFC component which checks that the ESXi's current operating mode(Normal Mode or Maintenance Mode). If the ESXi is in "Maintenance Mode" some file operations through Host Client fails this error.

Resolution

Checks the ESXi's operating mode. if it is in "Maintenance mode" make the host exit from the maintenance mode and try the same operation again.

Or try the same operation through vSphere client. (vSphere client's datastore browser uses different API from the one Host Client uses)