Enable EVC failed on same CPU model cluster with error "The host cannot be admitted to the cluster's current Enhanced vMotion Compatibility mode."

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

The following error message is observed when attempting to enable EVC in the cluster with the same CPU model:

The host cannot be admitted to the cluster's current Enhanced vMotion Compatibility mode. Powered-on or suspended virtual machines on the host may be using CPU features hidden by that mode.
<ESXi-Host-FQDN>

Environment

VMware vCenter Server
VMware vSphere ESXi

Cause

One or more VMs on this host have inherited CPU features higher to the EVC mode.

Resolution

Follow below steps to identify and power cycle the blocking VMs

• Identify the blocking VMs by viewing the EVC Mode in VM list 
  
  • In Cluster > VMs tab, expand Manage Columns and select EVC CPU Mode
  • Check if any VMs lack an EVC Mode entry or are configured with an EVC Mode higher than the target value.
• Identify the blocking VMs by migrating VMs one by one
  • Migrate VMs on <ESXi-Host-FQDN> one by one and enable EVC mode to observe whether the host triggering the error changes.
• Power off the VM(s)
• Enable EVC mode on the cluster
• Power on the VM(s)