VMware: vCenter services not starting automatically after a restore from an image-based backup

Summary: vCenter services not starting automatically after a restore from an image-based backup

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Symptoms

  • vCenter/PSC not fully starting after restoring VM from backup
  • The backup method was an Image-Based Backup.
  • Backups using the VAMI file-based backup are not impacted.
  • vmon service is masked - thereby not allowing all services managed by vmon to start.
  • Unmasking vmon allows services to start successfully.
  • On reboot, vmon becomes masked again.

On a manual start of the services, it fails as below,

#service-control --start --all
Operation not cancellable. Please wait for it to finish...
Performing start operation on service lwsmd...
Service lwsmd startup type is not automatic. Skip
Performing start operation on service vmafdd...
Service vmafdd startup type is not automatic. Skip
Performing start operation on service vmdird...
Service vmdird startup type is not automatic. Skip
Performing start operation on service vmcad...
Service vmcad startup type is not automatic. Skip
Performing start operation on service vmware-sts-idmd...
Service vmware-sts-idmd startup type is not automatic. Skip
Performing start operation on service vmware-stsd...
Service vmware-stsd startup type is not automatic. Skip
Performing start operation on service vmdnsd...
Service vmdnsd startup type is not automatic. Skip
Performing start operation on profile: ALL...
Service vmware-vmon startup type is not automatic. Skip
Service-control failed. Error: Failed to start services in profile ALL. RC=11, stderr=Connect error. ErrCode: 111

Here is how you check if a vmon is masked.

# systemctl list-unit-files | grep vmware-vmon.service
vmware-vmon.service          masked

To unmask the service.

#systemctl unmask vmware-vmon.service
Note: This allows you to start the service -, but the issue recurs on reboot.

 

Cause

N/A

 

Resolution

  1. Go to the vCenter Server Management Interface, https://vCenter_FQDN_or_IP: 5480, and click the Setup vCenter Server Appliance button.
    vCenter Server Management Interface

  2. Input the root password and click LOG IN.
    Entering the root password

  3. Click NEXT.
    Set up introduction

  4. Input an SSO username and password, then click FINISH.
    Single Sign-On configuration

  5. Reconciliation starts. Wait 15 - 30 minutes to finish.
    Set up on progress

  6. Reconciliation completes, and you can access the vSphere Client.
    Set up complete

 

Affected Products

VxRack, VxRail, VxRail Software
Article Properties
Article Number: 000195302
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 04 Sep 2025
Version:  3
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