VM is only using 2 CPU even though more are configured

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

VM is configured with multiple CPU but the Windows Task Manager only shows 2 CPUs.

 

Environment

vCenter 8.x
ESXi 8.x

Cause

CPU setting was 1 core with multiple sockets.

vCenter:

ESXi:

Resolution

1. Shutdown the VM.
2. In UI right click the VM and select Edit settings.
3. Increase the "Cores per socket" to the desired count and click SAVE. 
   
4. Power up the VM and verify cores are being used.