Virtual Machines in "Invalid" Status due to Datastore Exhaustion

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Administrators may observe one or more Virtual Machines (VMs) entering an Invalid or Inaccessible status within vSphere. When a VM is in this state, management operations (such as powering on, configuring, or migrating) are unavailable.

vmkernel.log:
[datastore ####-####-####-####]... No space left on device

The invalid VMs running on datastore ####-####-####-####

Cause

The underlying storage layer for the datastore ####-####-####-#### has completely run out of disk space (0% free space remaining).

Resolution

Free up space immediately on the physical storage layer or expand the logical volume to restore VM functionality.

Once free space is restored (ensure at least 10–15% free space buffer):

1. Log into the vSphere Client.

2. Right-click the Invalid VM and select Reload VM (or unregister/remove from inventory and re-register via the .vmx file in the datastore browser).

3. Power on the VM and verify operational stability.