"Error in method invocation Timeout happens while sending message to microservice" when updating or patching vCenter Server Appliance from VAMI or CLI

Products

• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

Updating or Patching vCenter Server Appliance fails with this error during pre-checks:

"Error in method invocation Timeout happens while sending message to microservice"

In the /var/log/vmware/applmgmt/applmgmt.log file, there are see entries similar to:

ERROR - Checksum does not match, expected [HASH], found [HASH]
ERROR - Checkoum failed for file (...blob)
DEBUG: vmware.appliance.update.update_functions:Exception happens while sending message to microservice: ConnectionRefusedError(111, 'Connection refused')
DEBUG: vmware.appliance.update.update_functions:Exception happens while sending message to microservice: FileNotFoundError (, 'No such file or directory')

The following entries may appear in /var/log/vmware/applmgmt/applmgmt.log if the attached patch file is corrupted:

DEBUG: vmware.appliance.update.update_functions:Exception happens while sending message to microservice:FileNotFoundError (, 'No such file or directory')
INFO: vmware.appliance.update.update_functions:Timeout
ERROR: vmware.vapi.provider.local:Error in invoking com.vmware.appliance.update.pending in precheck sending message to microservice

Environment

• VMware vCenter 6.x
• VMware vCenter 7.x
• VMware vCenter 8.x

Cause

This issue occurs due to a stale PID file of the update microservice or a corrupted/incomplete FP.ISO file used for the upgrade.

Resolution

Workaround 1: 

Clear Stale PID

1. Connect to the VCSA using SSH.
2. Navigate to /var/run/vmware/applmgmt/.
3. Check for the PID file: ls update_microservice.pid.
4. Remove the file: rm /var/run/vmware/applmgmt/update_microservice.pid.
5. Restart the management service: service-control --restart applmgmt.
6. Retry the patching process.

Workaround 2: 

Verify Media Integrity

1. Re-download the FP.ISO from the official Broadcom Support Portal.
2. Verify the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file against the value listed on the download page.
3. Mount the new ISO and re-initiate the patching process via VAMI or CLI.

Additional Information

Clear VAMI installation progress

Check media checksum