Purpose
Resolution
Starting a virtual machine via the vSphere Client/Virtual Infrastructure Client connected to vCenter Server/VirtualCenter
To start a virtual machine from vCenter Server/VirtualCenter:
- Connect to your vCenter Server/VirtualCenter using the vSphere Client/Virtual Infrastructure Client.
- Select the virtual machine you want to power on from inventory.
- Right-click on the virtual machine name and click Power On.
- Select the virtual machine's Summary tab and click Power On.
This graphic shows the options available in the virtual machine's Summary tab.
Starting a virtual machine via the vSphere Client/Virtual Infrastructure Client connected directly to an ESX/ESXi host
To start a virtual machine from the vSphere Client/Virtual Infrastructure Client connect directly to an ESX/ESXi host:
- Connect to your ESX/ESXi host using the vSphere Client/Virtual Infrastructure Client.
- Select the virtual machine you want to power on from inventory.
- Right-click on the virtual machine and click Power On.
- Select the virtual machine's Summary tab and click Power On
The following graphic shows the options available in the virtual machine's Summary tab.
Note: There are not as many options when connecting to an ESX/ESXi host as there are when connecting to a vCenter Server/VirtualCenter.
Note: If you were unable to start the virtual machine from vCenter Server/VirtualCenter but were successful from an ESXi/ESX host, your vCenter Server server service may need to be restarted, see Stopping, starting or restarting the vCenter Server service (1003895).
Starting a virtual machine via the command line of an ESX/ESXi host
To start a virtual machine from the service console of an ESX/ESXi host:
- Log into the VMware ESX/ESXi host as the root user.
- For more information on VMware ESX Service Console, see Unable to connect to an ESX host using Secure Shell (SSH) (1003807).
- For more information on VMware ESXi Technical Support Mode, see Tech Support Mode for Emergency Support (1003677).
- For more information on VMware ESXi 4.1 and ESXi 5.0 Technical Support Mode, see Using Tech Support Mode in ESXi 4.1 and ESXi 5.0 (1017910)
- To list all running virtual machines and their corresponding VMIDs, run the command:
#vim-cmd vmsvc/getallvms - Power on the virtual machine using the VMID found in Step 2 and run:
#vim-cmd vmsvc/power.on
Note: If you are still unable to power on your virtual machine after trying the steps in this article:
- Gather the VMware Support Script Data. For more information, see Collecting Diagnostic Information in a VMware Virtual Infrastructure Environment (1003689).
- File a support request with VMware Support and note this KB Article ID in the problem description. For more information, see How to Submit a Support Request.Based on VMware KB 1003738
