VMware: Setting the CPU Limit of an Existing VM using vCenter to 0 Sets it to 0 MHz, Not Unlimited
Summary: When setting an existing virtual machines (VM) CPU Limit to 0 using vCenter, it does not disable the limit. It sets it to 0 MHz which causes the VM to become unstable and may lead to the host needing to be rebooted. ...
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Symptoms
When changing an existing VM's CPU Limit settings to 0 - with the intention to disable - the VM becomes unresponsive. VM world may stay as a zombie process and may require the host to be rebooted to release the resources.
Further: turning on a VM after this setting was made offline the VM becomes unresponsive in a matter of minutes.
Further: turning on a VM after this setting was made offline the VM becomes unresponsive in a matter of minutes.
Cause
When changing the CPU limit in vCenter on an existing VM: it does not treat it as Unlimited. It will treat it as a CPU Limit of 0 MHz, giving the VM no CPU resources.
In other circumstances - such as VM creation and also any changes using ESXi - 0 does get changed to Unlimited.
Another reason for a 0 MHz CPU limit may be to prevent a VM from powering on by giving it no CPU resources; this does not work. The VM is still able to power on.
Resolution
When changing a VM CPU limit, make sure to select Unlimited instead of setting a 0.
Additional Information
For more information, see: Virtual Machine becomes unresponsive or hangs when the CPU Limit is set to 0
Affected Products
VxRail, VMWare Cloud on Dell EMC VxRail E560F, VMWare Cloud on Dell EMC VxRail E560N, VMware ESXi 7.x, VMware ESXi 8.x, VxRail 460 and 470 Nodes, VxRail Appliance Family, VxRail Appliance Series, VxRail G Series Nodes, VxRail D Series Nodes
, VxRail D560, VxRail D560F, VxRail E Series Nodes, VxRail E460, VxRail E560, VxRail E560 VCF, VxRail E560F, VxRail E560F VCF, VxRail E560N, VxRail E560N VCF, VxRail E660, VxRail E660F, VxRail E660N, VxRail E665, VxRail E665F, VxRail E665N, VxRail G560, VxRail G560 VCF, VxRail G560F, VxRail G560F VCF, VxRail P Series Nodes, VxRail P470, VxRail P570, VxRail P570 VCF, VxRail P570F, VxRail P570F VCF, VxRail P580N, VxRail P580N VCF, VxRail P670F, VxRail P670N, VxRail P675F, VxRail P675N, VxRail S Series Nodes, VxRail S470, VxRail S570, VxRail S570 VCF, VxRail S670, VxRail Software, VxRail V Series Nodes, VxRail V470, VxRail V570, VxRail V570 VCF, VxRail V570F, VxRail V570F VCF, VXRAIL V670F, VxRail VD-4510C, VxRail VD-4520C, VxRail VE-660, VxRail VE-6615, VxRail VP-760, VxRail VP-7625, VxRail VS-760
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Article Properties
Article Number: 000194055
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 25 Jul 2025
Version: 4
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