vCenter Upgrade Precheck Warning: This vCenter Server has extensions registered that cannot be upgraded to or may not work with the new vCenter Server.

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

During Stage 2 of the vCenter Server upgrade, the upgrade installer precheck displays the following warning regarding registered extensions. This warning indicates that the installer cannot verify if these extensions are compatible with the target version of vCenter.

Example warning:

Common extensions listed may include:

• VMware-native services (e.g., vSphere Lifecycle Manager Client, vSphere Replication)
• Third-party solutions (e.g., Backup agents, Storage plugins)

Environment

VMware vCenter Server

Resolution

Proceed with the following phases for pre-upgrade verification, plugin activity validation, risk assessment, and post-upgrade remediation to safely complete the vCenter Server upgrade:

1. Pre-Upgrade Verification:

   1. Identify the plugins listed in the Stage 2 warning
   2. Log in to the source vCenter Client, navigate to Administration > Solutions > Client Plug-ins
   3. Note the Vendor and Version of each reported plugin
      
   4. Verify compatibility with the target version via vSphere Client Plug-In
      Note: If 3rd-party plugin compatibility details are not available or if the plugin is not listed in the compatibility guide, contact the specific third-party vendor for support.
      
      

2. Check if the Plug-in is In-Use:

   1. Before taking any action, verify if the flagged extension is actively managing components within the environment. To confirm if a plugin is in-use, perform the following checks: 
      1. Task Console Verification
         1. Navigate to Monitor > Tasks in the vSphere Client. Review recent tasks to determine if the flagged plugin ID is actively initiating operations (e.g., snapshot creations or storage syncs). Note: Below screenshot shows that the vLCM plugin is actively being used.
            
            
            
      2. Storage Provider Verification (For Storage Plugins):
         1. Navigate to vCenter Server > Configure > Storage Providers. If a provider matching the plugin vendor is listed with a status of "Online" and "Active," the plugin is actively managing storage arrays.
            
      3. MOB Heartbeat Verification: 
         1. Access the Managed Object Browser (MOB) at https://<vCenter_FQDN_or_IP>/mob.
         2. Navigate to Content > ExtensionManager.
         3.  
            Select the specific extension key flagged in the warning.
         4. Review the lastHeartbeatTime property. A recent timestamp indicates the third-party appliance is actively communicating with vCenter Server.
            
            
            
3. Risk of proceeding: Based on the findings in Phase 2, evaluate if the plugin is required for ongoing operations and consider the associated risks
   1. If the plugin is NOT in-use (Legacy/Ghost registration): The warning can be safely bypassed. There is no risk to the environment.
   2. If the plugin is in-use and required: Bypassing this warning and continuing the vCenter Server upgrade may result in the plugin failing to function in the target vCenter Server version.
       
      Note: Proceeding with the upgrade while relying on an incompatible plugin can disrupt critical third-party integrations, leading to a loss of storage management visibility (vVols/VASA), failure of automated third-party backup jobs, or loss of network integration controls until the vendor provides a compatible update.
4. Proceed with the upgrade: Once the risks have been evaluated and accounted for, this warning can be safely bypassed. Click Next on the installer screen to continue the upgrade process.
   
   
5. Post-Upgrade validation and remediation
   1. Log in to the Target vCenter Server after the upgrade completes
   2. Navigate to Administration > Solutions > Client Plug-ins and check the plugin status
      1. If enabled: No action required
      2. Failed/Incompatible: The plugin must be updated or re-registered. To register plugin refer Reregister Plug-In Solution in vCenter Server After Upgrade or Migration

Additional Information

Pre-checks can be performed to generate reports that provide product interoperability information for recommended vCenter Server update and upgrade versions: Generate an Interoperability Report for Target vCenter Server Versions

Note: To use this feature, you must join the VMware Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP). For information about the CEIP, see the "Configuring Customer Experience Improvement Program" section in vCenter Server and Host Management.