vCenter license assignment fails with "License could not be assigned to the selected vCenter system"

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware Cloud Foundation

Issue/Introduction

• After upgrading vCenter from version 8.0 to 9.0, the default evaluation license expires, causing hosts to disconnect.
  
  
• When attempting to assign a primary license via the License Management page in VCF Operations, the task fails with the error: "License could not be assigned to the selected vCenter systems". 
  
  
• In Administration → Integrations → Accounts, the vCenter adapter collection status may show as "Collecting"; however, performing a Test Connection fails with "Invalid Credentials" for local SSO credentials. 

Environment

VMware Cloud Foundation 9.x

Cause

This issue occurs because data collection for the specific vCenter Server has stopped within VCF Operations due to incorrect credentials, which prevents the license assignment from processing successfully.

Resolution

1. Restore vCenter adapter collection
   
   • Restore vCenter adapter collection
   • Navigate to Administration → Integrations → vCenter adapter
   • Click on the + icon next to credentials and enter the correct password for the SSO account.
   • Run Test Connection.
   • After the test is successful, select the adapter.
   • Monitor the Collection Status; it will take approximately 5 minutes to sync up.
     
     
2. Assign the License

• • Once data collection is restored, navigate to License Management → Licenses.
  • Select the Version 9+ tab.
  • From the vCenter Systems table, select the vCenter instance(s) requiring the license.
  • Click Assign Primary License.
  • Select the appropriate license and click Assign.