Adding a license to vCenter Server fails with Cannot add the following license keys
Article ID: 436060
Updated On:
Products
Issue/Introduction
When attempting to add a license in the license management screen of the vSphere Client, the following error message is output, and the addition of the license fails.
Cannot add the following license keys.
Existing licenses:
#####-#####-#####-#####-#####
Fix or remove these license keys to proceed.
Environment
VMware vCenter Server 7.0
VMware vCenter Server 8.0
Cause
If the license key you attempted to add is already registered in the vCenter Server inventory, the addition fails because, by vCenter Server design, it is not permitted to redundantly register the exact same license key as a new license in the inventory.
Resolution
Execute one of the following procedures depending on your requirements.
When using an existing license:
A license key already registered in the inventory can be assigned as-is to multiple assets (such as ESXi hosts) to consume its capacity.
In the asset's license assignment screen, select the corresponding license from "Existing licenses" and execute the assignment.
When managing licenses separately:
If you need to register and manage them multiple times in the vCenter Server inventory under different license names, you must split the license key itself.
For details on splitting license keys, please refer to Split VMware License keys in Broadcom support portal.
Additional Information
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