This issue is resolved in vCenter Server 7.0 Update 3c.
Workaround:
To work around this issue, follow the steps below:
Note: If the default shell was changed to /bin/bash, you can use /bin/appliancesh to enter the Appliance-Shell.
Note: Please ensure you have a working backup before attempting to update your vCenter Appliance.
Fallback/Alternative:
When unstage does not work, the patching.db can be manually reset. However the software-packages command should be preferred in the first place.
Important: Please make sure to have proper backup or offline snapshot before applying the below steps:
The alternative way:
# service-control --stop applmgmt
# rm -rf /storage/core/software-update/updates/*
# rm -rf /storage/core/software-update/stage/*
# rm -rf /storage/db/patching.db
# mv /storage/core/software-packages/staged-configuration.json /storage/core
# mv /etc/applmgmt/appliance/software_update_state.conf /storage/core
# service-control --start applmgmt
Issue can occur in 8.0 version as well