vCenter Server Upgrade Fails at Stage 1 (99%) with Error "The installer is unable to connect to the vCenter Server Management Interface"
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vCenter Server Upgrade Fails at Stage 1 (99%) with Error "The installer is unable to connect to the vCenter Server Management Interface"

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Article ID: 449973

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Updated On:

Products

VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

When upgrading or deploying the vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA) via the GUI installer running on a local workstation or Jumpbox:

  • Stage 1 deployment reaches 99%, and a red error banner pops up in the UI:

    "The installer is unable to connect to the vCenter Server Management Interface." Installer log files are located at C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\Local\Temp\<ID>\vcsaUiInstaller

  • The UI displays the following status messages:

    • "You have successfully deployed the vCenter Server."

    • "Unable to proceed with stage 2 of the deployment process. Click close to exit the installer."

    • "You may attempt to continue with stage 2 by logging in to the vCenter Server at https://<Temporary-IP>:5480/"

  • Reviewing the installer log file vcsaInstaller.log on the client machine reveals repeated TCP reset connection errors when attempting to reach the VAMI URL:

YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS - info: Final host name:
YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS - info: vami base url before dns lookup:   https://<Target_Temporary_IP>/
YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS - info: vami base url after dns lookup:   https://<Target_Temporary_IP>:5480/
YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS - info: VAMI_CONN_MAX_TRY: 25
YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS - error: Could not get response for get request from url https://<Target_Temporary_IP>:5480/: Error: read ECONNRESET
YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS - error: VAMI is NOT accessilbe[1]:   https://<Target_Temporary_IP>:5480/, err: Could not get response for get request from url
YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM:SS - error: Could not get response for get request from url https://<Target_Temporary_IP>:5480/: Error: read ECONNRESET

 

Environment

VMware vCenter 8.x

Cause

The log error Error: read ECONNRESET indicates that the installer's connection attempt to the new vCenter management interface (VAMI) on port 5480 was forcibly closed by the network.

Because the installer running on the workstation cannot verify that the new vCenter is ready over port 5480, it throws the UI error "The installer is unable to connect to the vCenter Server Management Interface" at 99% and halts the transition to Stage 2.

Common Causes:

  • Firewall Blocks: Inter-subnet firewall rules blocking traffic on TCP port 5480.

  • VPN Interference: An active VPN on the workstation blocking or rerouting local network traffic.

  • Cross-Subnet Routing: The workstation and target vCenter are on different subnets without proper network routing.

Resolution

Run the Installer from a Jump Server on the Same Subnet

  1. Mount or copy the VCSA ISO installer onto a Windows / Linux Jump Server located on the exact same network subnet as the target temporary IP address (e.g., ##.##.##.x).

  2. Run the installer.exe wizard directly from this Jump Server.

  3. Because both the installer executable and the target VCSA VM reside on the same local broadcast domain / subnet, cross-subnet firewalls and VPN policies are bypassed, allowing the installer to successfully talk to port 5480 and transition smoothly into Stage 2.

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