Error: "Service ntpd doesn't meet the policy on" during Host Profile Compliance Check

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

• When performing a Host Profile compliance check against a VMware ESXi host in vCenter Server, the host reports as Not Compliant.
• The compliance check fails with the specific error: Service ntpd doesn't meet the policy on <HOSTNAME>.
• The NTP Daemon service startup policy on the affected host deviates from the configuration specified in the attached Host Profile or reference host.

Environment

vSphere 7.x.
vSphere 8.x.

Cause

The startup policy for the "NTP Daemon" (ntpd) service on the target host is configured differently than the policy defined in the Host Profile.

For example, the profile may expect the service to "Start and stop with host," while the non-compliant host is set to "Start and stop manually."

Resolution

To resolve the compliance failure, update the startup policy of the NTP Daemon service on the non-compliant host to match the cluster's reference configuration.

1. Select the affected ESXi host within the vSphere Client inventory.

2. Navigate to the Configure tab.

3. Under the System section, select Services.

4. Search for or locate the NTP Daemon service in the services list.

5. Select the service and click Edit Startup Policy....

6. Change the Startup Policy to align with the rest of the cluster (typically Start and stop with host).

7. Click OK to save the changes.

8. Re-run the Check Host Profile Compliance task to verify the host is now compliant.

Additional Information

• For more details, refer : Configure Network Time Protocol (NTP) on the ESXi