ESXi host on HPE servers shuts down unexpectedly with the message "The host is being shutdown due to Insufficient Cooling"
Article ID: 450948
Updated On:
Products
Issue/Introduction
- An ESXi host shuts down unexpectedly without any manual intervention from an administrator.
- Reviewing the
/var/log/syslog.logfile reveals an entry similar to the following, indicating a shutdown initiated by the smad daemon:
####-##-##T##:##:##.### Al(9) smad[#####]: The host is being shutdown due to Insufficient Cooling.
Environment
VMware vSphere ESXi 8.0
Cause
This behavior is expected when the hardware management agent detects a critical temperature or cooling issue on the physical server. The smad process is a core component of the HPE Agentless Management Service (AMS).
When the server's Baseboard Management Controller (e.g., HPE iLO) reports a temperature anomaly or fan failure, the AMS daemon running on the ESXi host triggers a graceful shutdown. This is a protective measure designed to prevent physical hardware damage caused by thermal events.
Resolution
Because the shutdown is initiated by the hardware management agent in response to a physical environmental or hardware condition, the root cause must be investigated at the hardware level.
- Verify physical environment: Check the server room or datacenter for proper air conditioning and adequate airflow around the host.
- Review hardware logs: Examine the hardware vendor logs, such as the HPE Integrated Management Log (IML) or iLO event logs, to identify any specific fan failures, obstructed chassis airflow, or temperature sensor alerts that occurred immediately before the shutdown.
- Engage hardware vendor: Contact your hardware vendor (HPE) support team to investigate the server's cooling system, fan health, and firmware versions.
(Note) There is a known issue where specific versions of the AMS daemon or server firmware incorrectly report high temperatures (e.g., falsely reporting a SATA SSD temperature as 127°C).
For more details on this issue, please refer to the following HPE Advisory:
Additional Information
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