Error: Host not compatible with the image during vSphere Lifecycle Manager compliance check

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

When you run a vSphere Lifecycle Manager (vLCM) Image Compliance check on a cluster, the task fails with the error "Host not compatible with the image." Clicking the red information icon under the image version reveals the message: "Replace the ESXi version in the image with one of the same or higher version."

Environment

• ESXi 8.x
• vCenter 8.x

Cause

This issue occurs when the ESXi version specified in the vLCM image is a downgrade compared to the version already installed on the host.

Resolution

To resolve this error, update the cluster image to match or exceed the host's current version:

1. Log in to the vSphere Client.
2. Navigate to the affected Cluster object.
3. Select the Updates tab, then select Hosts > Image.
4. Click Edit to modify the image definition.
5. Change the ESXi version to one that is the same or higher than the version currently installed on the host.
6. Click Save and select Check Compliance to verify the fix.