ESXi Host Fails to Enter Maintenance Mode with Internal vSAN Error

Products

• VMware vSAN

Issue/Introduction

When attempting to place an ESXi host into maintenance mode with either "Ensure accessibility" or "Full data migration" within a vSAN-enabled cluster, including VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) environments, the operation fails. The vSphere Client or SDDC Manager interface displays the following exact error:

General vSAN error. Failed to enter or exit maintenance mode due to an internal vSAN error. Retry operation.

 

Environment

VMware vSAN (All Versions)

Cause

The issue is caused due to the advanced DeltaComponent settings between ESXi hosts is inconsistent

The /VSAN/DeltaComponent value is disabled (0) on the hosts failing to enter maintenance mode preventing object evacuation, while it remains enabled (1) on hosts successfully entering maintenance mode.

 

Resolution

To resolve this issue, align the advanced configuration parameter to enable the DeltaComponent on the affected ESXi host to allow maintenance mode operations to process.

Connect to the affected ESXi host via SSH and authenticate as the root user.

Verify the current advanced configuration state by executing the following command:

esxcfg-advcfg -g /VSAN/DeltaComponent

(A result of 0 confirms the parameter is disabled).

Enable the DeltaComponent parameter by executing the following command:

esxcfg-advcfg -s 1 /VSAN/DeltaComponent

 

Monitor the vSAN Health UI and allow any triggered vSAN resynchronization operations to reach full completion.

Re-attempt to place the ESXi host into maintenance mode.

Additional Information

If the resolution steps provided do not resolve the issue, evaluate the cluster for existing vSAN object health faults or unreachable components.

See vSAN host fails to enter Maintenance Mode with 'Full data migration' option selected and vSAN disks missing from hosts after datacenter maintenance