Error: SSL certificate expired during vCenter Update Pre-check

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

• The following error appears in the management interface: 

  Internal error occurs during execution of update process. The SSL certificate on the virtual machine has expired. Replace the expired SSL certificate for the vCenter Server Appliance using the Fixcerts script.

• Root SSH access is restricted, returning an Unable to SSH as root error despite valid credentials.

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 8.x

Cause

The vCenter Machine SSL certificate has expired. This prevents the upgrade orchestrator from validating the environment and blocks root-level authentication for the update process.

Resolution

1. Utilize the vCert Python script to manage and replace the expired certificate. Follow the procedures outlined in vCert - Scripted vCenter expired certificate replacement.
2. After replacing the certificate, initiate the Update Pre-check again to verify the environment is clear.

If the issue remains unresolved, please see Contact Broadcom support