Storage DRS does not migrate virtual machines despite meeting automation thresholds in vCenter Server
Article ID: 430194
Updated On:
Products
Issue/Introduction
In a VMware vCenter Server environment, Storage DRS (SDRS) fails to initiate migrations even when space or I/O latency thresholds are met.
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Datastore Cluster is set to Fully Automated.
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SDRS recommendations are either not generated or not applied automatically.
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No visible errors may be present in the Tasks/Events for the cluster.
Environment
- VMware vCenter Server 6.x / 7.x / 8.x
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VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 4.x / 5.x
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vSphere Storage DRS
Cause
The specific Virtual Machines are configured with VM Overrides that contradict the Datastore Cluster policy as shown in the following screenshot.
VM-level settings for Storage DRS take precedence over the cluster-level automation settings. If a VM is set to Manual or Disabled under the VM Overrides section, SDRS will not move the VM automatically.
Resolution
Review the list of VMs with overrides enabled to understand why they were originally set (e.g., for troubleshooting or specific application requirements).
If no longer needed, disable the VM overrides to return them to the default cluster policy or set the appropriate settings as per your requirements.
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Log in to the vSphere Client.
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Navigate to Main Menu > Storage.
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Select the Datastore Cluster experiencing the issue.
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Navigate to the Configure tab.
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Under the Configuration section, select VM Overrides.
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Locate the affected Virtual Machines and check the Storage DRS automation level column.
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Select the VM and click Edit (or Remove) to return the automation level to Default (Fully Automated).
Additional Information
For more information on Storage DRS, refer to the following documents:
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