ESXi Virtual Machine fails to power on with error "Object type requires hosted I/O"

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• After an ESXi host failure or reboot, the virtual machine fails to power on with an error "Object type requires hosted I/O".
• In /vmfs/volume/datastore/vmfolder/vmware.log, you see entries similar to:

File system specific implementation of LookupAndopen[file]failed
Object type requires hosted I/O
Cannot open disk "/vmfs/volume/datastore/vmfolder/vm.vmdk" or one of the snapshot disks it depends on 
Module 'Disk' power on failed
failed to open (The specified virtual disk needs repair)

Cause

An unexpected failure of the ESXi host could cause the virtual disk to get into repair mode. 

Resolution

To resolve the issue, identify the vmdk file and repair it.

1. Enable SSH access to your ESXi host and log in.
2. To identify the  vmdk file if repair is required or not, use the following command
   
   vmkfstools -x check /<path to VM folder>/VM.vmdk
   
   

 

     If the following output is seen, run the following command in step 3

       root@esx:/vmfs/volumes/datastore/VMfolder] vmkfstools -x check VM.vmdk

        Disk needs repair.

 Caution: Ensure a backup copy of the vmdk descriptor and flat (if snapshots are involved, delta files and its descriptor files) is made before proceeding.   

3. To repair the file, use the following command:

     

           vmkfstools -x repair /<path to VM folder>/VM.vmdk

For example,

root@esx:/vmfs/volumes/datastore/VMfolder] vmkfstools -x repair VM.vmdk 
Disk was successfully repaired.

4. Power on the virtual machine.

Additional Information

For more information refer to vSphere Storage Virtual Disk Options