ESXi Update Fails with ProfileVibRemoval Error During Patching to Build 25595708

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

When attempting to update or upgrade a Broadcom VMware ESXi host from version 8.0 U3j (build 25429389) to 8.0 U3k (build 25595708) using esxcli software profile commands, the transaction fails.

The command line outputs a dependency validation error similar to the following:
You attempted to install an image profile which would have resulted in the removal of VIBs

Environment

• Product: VMware ESXi 8.0
• Source Version: 8.0 U3j (Build 25429389)
• Target Version: 8.0 U3k (Build 25595708)

Cause

Executing esxcli software profile install replaces the entire host profile and strictly blocks the implicit removal of installed OEM or third-party vendor VIBs (such as QLogic, NVIDIA, Intel, or Dell utilities) that are not packaged in the standard base Broadcom depot ZIP.

Resolution

Execute one of the following methods based on whether existing vendor VIBs must be retained or removed:

        Method 1: Preserve existing vendor VIBs (Recommended)

1. Place the ESXi host into Maintenance Mode.
2. Execute software profile update instead of install to apply the Update 3k patch while keeping all installed third-party and OEM driver VIBs intact:

   esxcli software profile update -p ESXi-8.0U3k-25595708-standard -d /var/tmp/VMware-ESXi-8.0U3k-25595708-depot.zip
   

   3. Reboot the host to complete the upgrade process.

   
   Method 2: Force VIB removal (If vendor VIBs are obsolete)

   1. Place the ESXi host into Maintenance Mode.

   2. Execute the install command with the --ok-to-remove flag to override the profile check and allow removal of unreferenced OEM VIBs:

      esxcli software profile install -p ESXi-8.0U3k-25595708-standard -d /var/tmp/VMware-ESXi-8.0U3k-25595708-depot.zip --ok-to-remove
      

    

   3. Reboot the host to complete the upgrade process.

Additional Information

Per the Broadcom TechDocs ESXi Upgrade Guide, using the update verb preserves custom OEM VIBs, whereas install enforces an exact profile match against the target depot