Virtual Machine keeps freezing

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

• Virtual machine freezes
  
  
• Migrating the Virtual Machine to another host temporarily resolves the issue.
• Storage errors in /var/log/vmkernel.log: 
  
  

  2026-01-01T00:00:00.000Z In(182) vmkernel: cpu53:2098219)NMP: nmp_ThrottleLogForDevice:3893: Cmd 0x88 (0x45b9c27ca480, 2101026) to dev "naa.####" on path "vmhba#:C#:T#:L#" Failed:
  
  2026-01-01T00:00:00.000Z In(182) vmkernel: cpu53:2098219)NMP: nmp_ThrottleLogForDevice:3898: H:0x7 D:0x0 P:0x0 . Act:EVAL. cmdId.initiator=0x430e25e85580 CmdSN 0x800e004e

  2026-01-01T00:00:00.000Z Wa(180) vmkwarning: cpu53:2098219)WARNING: NMP: nmp_DeviceRequestFastDeviceProbe:235: NMP device "naa.####" state in doubt; requested fast path state update...

  2026-01-01T00:00:00.000Z In(182) vmkernel: cpu53:2098219)ScsiDeviceIO: 4697: Cmd(0x45b9c27ca480) 0x88, CmdSN 0x800e004e from world 2101026 to dev "naa.####" failed H:0x7 D:0x0 P:0x0

Environment

vCenter Server

Cause

Storage issues are affecting Virtual Machine Performance.

Resolution

Contact the Storage Vendor for assistance in troubleshooting the Storage issues.

When performing Virtual Machine performance troubleshooting with ESXi storage, use command line tools to identify a specific disk or LUN connected to ESXi. 

Additional Information

Troubleshooting ESX/ESXi virtual machine performance issues

If you identify a storage-related issue:

1. Ensure that your hardware array and your HBA cards are certified for ESX/ESXi. For more information, see the VMware Hardware Compatibility List. 
2. Ensure that the BIOS of your physical server is up to date. For more information, see Checking your firmware and BIOS levels to ensure compatibility with ESX/ESXi.
3. Ensure that the firmware of your HBA is up to date.
4. Ensure that the ESXi can recognize the correct mode and path policy for your SATP Storage array type and PSP Path Selection Policy. For more information, see Viewing and Managing Storage Paths on ESXi Hosts.