Error: "Precheck failed" when attempting to access the vCenter Server Appliance Management Interface

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

• After a failed patch or update, the vCenter Server Appliance Management Interface (VAMI) displays "Installation Failed" and "Precheck failed" errors.
  
  
• These messages persist even after resolving the root cause of the initial failure.
  
  

Environment

vCenter Server 8.x

Cause

This issue occurs when stale metadata is left behind from a previous, failed update attempt.

Resolution

NOTE: Take a snapshot of the vCenter Server Appliance (vCSA) before implementing the procedures. In Enhanced Linked Mode (ELM) environments, ensure simultaneous snapshots are taken across all replicating vCenter nodes to maintain data consistency. Detailed guidance is available in: VMware vCenter in Enhanced Linked Mode pre-changes snapshot (online or offline) best practice.

1. Connect to the vCenter Server Appliance via SSH using root credentials.
   
   
2. Run the following commands sequentially to clear the stalled update state and restart the appliance management service:
   
   service-control --stop applmgmt
rm -rf /storage/core/software-update/updates/*
rm -rf /storage/core/software-update/stage/*
rm -rf /storage/db/patching.db
mv /storage/core/software-packages/staged-configuration.json /storage/core/
mv /etc/applmgmt/appliance/software_update_state.conf /storage/core/
service-control --start applmgmt


3. Once the service has restarted successfully, log back into the VAMI and attempt the update again.