Unable to delete snapshot. Task failed with Error: "An error occurred while deleting a snapshot: The specified snapshot does not exist"

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

Users are unable to delete a virtual machine snapshot. The operation fails with the following error message:
An error occurred while deleting a snapshot: The specified snapshot does not exist.

The virtual machine's hard disk size is incorrectly reported as 0 MB in the vSphere Client.

Inspection of the datastore confirms that snapshot files (.vmdk delta files) are present.

The virtual machine is currently running on a snapshot disk.

hostd.log will have below entries.

XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.378Z In(166) Hostd[2099272]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vimsvc.TaskManager opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] Task Created : haTask-119-vim.VirtualMachine.removeAllSnapshots-3683371796
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.379Z Db(167) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] Removeallsnapshots received. Consolidate: true
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.380Z In(166) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] State Transition (VM_STATE_OFF -> VM_STATE_REMOVEALL_SNAPSHOT)
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.388Z Er(163) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Libs opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] SNAPSHOT: Snapshot_Delete failed: The specified snapshot does not exist (28)
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.388Z In(166) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Libs opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] SnapshotVigorDelete: Failed to delete snapshot UID 1: The specified snapshot does not exist (28)
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.390Z Db(167) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vigor.Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] Delete snapshot 1 and its children message: An error occurred while deleting a snapshot: The specified snapshot does not exist.
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.391Z Wa(164) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] Failed to remove snapshot(s): N3Vim5Fault20GenericVmConfigFault9ExceptionE(Fault cause: vim.fault.GenericVmConfigFault
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.401Z In(166) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] Snapshot tree refresh ignored because storage is not accessible.
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.401Z Db(167) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] Disk cache flushed
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.403Z In(166) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] Send config update invoked
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.404Z Wa(164) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] PopulateCache failed: _diskAccess : true, _storageAccessible : false
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.404Z Wa(164) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vigor.Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] Disk properties cache miss for disk path: /vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name-000002.vmdk.
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.407Z In(166) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Libs opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] DeviceSwapIsLSISwapNeeded: GetVMAdapterUpdate status is 0, adapterList for device swapping <unset>
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.411Z Db(167) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] Time to gather config: 7 (msecs)
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.412Z Wa(164) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] UpdateStorageAccessibilityStatusInt: The datastore XX.XX.XX.XX:VMware is not accessible
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.412Z Wa(164) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] FetchUpdatedLayout: VM storage inaccessible.
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.413Z Wa(164) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] Snapshot::GetFile failed: A required file was not found
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.414Z Wa(164) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] Failed to get snapshot files: One of the parameters is invalid
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.415Z Wa(164) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] Snapshot::GetFile failed: A required file was not found
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.416Z Wa(164) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] Failed to get snapshot files: One of the parameters is invalid
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.417Z Wa(164) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] Snapshot::GetFile failed: A required file was not found
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.418Z Wa(164) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] Failed to get snapshot files: One of the parameters is invalid
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.418Z Db(167) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] Time to gather snapshot file layout: 6 (msecs)
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.419Z Wa(164) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] File - failed to get objectId, '/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx': Operation not supported (11)
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.420Z Db(167) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] Incomplete layout due to snapshot 119-snapshot-1 has no devices
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.420Z Db(167) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] Incomplete layout due to snapshot 119-snapshot-2 has no devices
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.420Z Db(167) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] Incomplete layout due to snapshot 119-snapshot-3 has no devices
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.421Z In(166) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] Skip caching of external disk paths due to incomplete layout.
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.421Z Db(167) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] Refreshed layout after snapshot refresh.
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.421Z Wa(164) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] Failed operation
XXXX-XX-XXT11:40:31.421Z In(166) Hostd[2099268]: [Originator@6876 sub=Vmsvc.vm:/vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/vm_name/vm_name.vmx opID=mkqrw91q-3694327-auto-276k8-h5:70808883-de-aa-92b1 sid=52c4943e user=vpxuser:MIND\username] State Transition (VM_STATE_REMOVEALL_SNAPSHOT -> VM_STATE_OFF)

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi
VMware vCenter Server

Cause

The virtual machine has a CD/DVD drive configured to use an ISO file located on a NAS datastore that is currently inaccessible. This inaccessible backing device causes storage stack timeouts. Consequently, the ESXi hostd agent cannot properly enumerate or lock the virtual machine's storage chain, which manifests as a 0 MB disk size and prevents the snapshot consolidation engine from running.

Resolution

We can remove the attached CD/DVD from the VM using below steps:

• Log in to the host UI on which the VM recites.
• Right-click the affected virtual machine and select Edit Settings.
• Locate the CD/DVD drive in the virtual hardware list.
• Change the device backing from "Datastore ISO File" to "Client Device".
• Uncheck the "Connect At Power On" and "Connected" options.
• Click OK to apply the configuration changes.

If the NAS datastore is permanently decommissioned or stuck in an All Paths Down (APD) state, safely unmount and detach the datastore from the affected ESXi host(s).

Re-run the Delete Snapshot or Consolidate Snapshots task on the virtual machine.