ISO download from vSphere Datastore fails with "This page isn't working" error.
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ISO download from vSphere Datastore fails with "This page isn't working" error.

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Article ID: 442513

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Updated On:

Products

VMware vCenter Server VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

When attempting to download an ISO file from a vSphere Datastore using the Datastore Browser (vSphere Client or ESXi Host Client), the download fails with the following symptoms:

  • A new browser tab opens and displays: "This page isn't working, ##.##.##.## host is currently unable to handle this request" or HTTP ERROR 500.
  • Other files (e.g., smaller .txt or different ISOs) in the same datastore may download without issue.
  • The issue persists across different browsers.

Environment

Esxi 7.x

Esxi 8.x

vCenter server 7.x

vCenter server 8.x

Cause

ESXi hosts place a lock on ISO files that are currently mounted to a powered-on Virtual Machine as a "Datastore ISO File".

When a file is actively mounted in a Guest OS, an exclusive lock is placed at the ESXi host level. This prevents the NFC (Network File Copy) service from accessing the file to facilitate a download via the web browser, resulting in the Internal Server Error (500).

Resolution

To resolve this issue, you must identify and release the file lock by disconnecting the ISO from the virtual machine(s).

Step 1: Identify the Lock Owner

  1. Connect to the ESXi host where the ISO resides via SSH.
  2. Run the following command to identify the MAC address of the host holding the lock: vmfsfilelockinfo -p /vmfs/volumes/[DatastoreName]/[PathToISO]/[FileName].iso
  3. Note the MAC address returned in the output.

Step 2: Release the Lock

  1. Search your vSphere inventory to find the Virtual Machine(s) associated with that MAC address or simply check VMs that might have the ISO mounted.
  2. Right-click the VM and select Edit Settings.
  3. Locate the CD/DVD drive.
  4. Change the backing from Datastore ISO File to Client Device or Host Device.
  5. Ensure the Connected and Connect at Power On checkboxes are unchecked.
  6. Click OK to save changes.

Step 3: Verify Download

  1. Return to the Datastore Browser.
  2. Attempt the ISO download again. The file should now download successfully.

Additional Information

Related Articles:

Investigating virtual machine file locks on ESXi hosts
VMware Cloud Director Media Download Failure

Similar error for .vmx file download:

Downloading .vmx from the vCenter/vSphere datastore browser fails with HTTP ERROR 500.

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