Resolving vCenter Server Power-on Failure Due to Expired Evaluation License Following System Time Correction in VCF 9.1.1
Article ID: 457074
Updated On:
Products
Issue/Introduction
Attempting to power on a virtual machine (including vCenter Server) on an ESX host in a VCF 9.1.1 environment fails with the error: "License key has expired" or "Evaluation period is over. Please install a license." This error occurs immediately after a manual correction of the ESXi host's system date/time.
Environment
VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9.1.1
ESXi 8.x, ESX 9.x
Cause
Log analysis indicates the ESX host was operating with an incorrect system date, greater than 90 days prior to the current date, for a period of approximately 4 hours after initial installation.
When the system date was manually corrected to the current date , the license evaluation logic triggered a validation check against the actual installation lifecycle. This discrepancy caused the evaluation period to be immediately flagged as expired, thereby restricting the host and preventing VM power-on operations.
Resolution
To restore the ability to power on VMs, correct the system date on the host and perform a new install of ESX.
Additional Information
Recommendation is to set new servers to the current date before installing ESX.
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