[Fixed] VMware: Virtual Machine Disks Consolidation Is Needed

VMware vSphere is a virtualization software software that works as a complete platform for managing your virtual machine.

However, many users encounter the virtual machine disk consolidation is needed error when using the software.

Heres a true example from the Nakio forum.

Ive got this fault signal saying: VMware virtual machine disks consolidation is needed.

Do you have any idea what I can do with it?

In most cases, performing a disk consolidation is to avoid performance degradation or solve some issues.

As the snapshots and related virtual disk files grow larger and larger, you may experience performance degrades.

That is to say, disk space will be cleaned after you consolidate virtual disk files.

However, the virtual machine disk consolidation process is not always smooth.

A great many people encounter the VMware virtual machine disk consolidation is needed error.

It can be because of many possible reasons.

Lets see how to fix it.

Many users reported that Desktop Windows Manager stopped working and was closed.

This post will explain the possible causes and provide corresponding fixes.

Here you’ve got the option to try them in order until the issue gets resolved.

Fix 1.

To do so, follow the detailed steps below:

Step 1.Launch the VMware vSphere client on your setup.

Step 2.Right-click theVMname in which you want to consolidate disk files and selectSnapshots > Consolidatefrom the sub-menu.

Are you sure you want to continue?.

Click onYesto confirm the VMware disk consolidation.

Then the vSphere client will consolidate virtual disk files and flush the logs.

Once completed, the virtual machine consolidation needed status error should disappear.

Fix 2.

Delete All Existing VM Snapshots

Another main reason for the disk consolidation error is the locked VM files.

If you receive another error alert Unable to access file since it is locked.

In this case, you’re gonna wanna unlock VM files by followingFix 2orFix 3.

Here we will show you how to unlock VM files by deleting all snapshots.

Step 1.Shut down the virtual machine that you are running and create a new VM disk snapshot.

Step 2.Right-click theVMtab from the top menu, and then selectSnapshotsand click onDelete All Snapshots.

Step 3.Sometimes the virtual machine consolidation needed status can be triggered by inconsistent-ctk.vmdkfiles.

So, you’re able to try deleting the CTK files.

Step 4.Now, you’re able to try reconsolidating virtual disk files again as we explain above.

Fix 3.

However, these locked disk files can trigger the virtual disk consolidation is needed error.

To unlock the file, you might move the VM to another ESXi host.

Step 1.Restart the management agents on the ESXi host on which the VM resides.

Then launch the command below on the EXSi host to unlock the VM files.

Once done, you could consolidate virtual machine disk files again and see if the error still appears.

Fix 4.

If not, it’s crucial that you extend the disk space.

How to extend disk drive without data loss?

As a multifunctional partition manager, MiniTool Partition Wizard can help you do that easily.

Step 3.Click onApplyto execute the process.

Fix 5.

The PowerCLI is a graphical user interface that can extendPowerShellto understand and interact with VMware environments.

Heres how to use it to consolidate virtual disks.

If you have better solutions to the error, c’mon write them down in the comment area.