How to Fix "VM Hardware Version Is Not Supported by Destination Host"

VMware is widely used for managing virtual machines (VMs), offering flexibility in testing, development, and system management. However, it’s not immune to errors that can disrupt operations, especially the dreaded “VM hardware version is not supported by destination host.”

If you've found yourself scratching your head at this issue, don’t worry. In this article, we’ll dive into what causes this error and, most importantly, how to fix the virtual machine version is not compatible with the version of the host with 4 practical ways.

What Is the "VM Hardware Version Is Not Supported by Destination Host" Error?

This error typically occurs when you're trying to run or migrate a virtual machine from one host to another, but the hardware version of the VM is incompatible with the destination host.

Essentially, VMware is telling you that the virtual hardware configuration (e.g., CPU, memory, network settings) of your VM isn’t supported by the destination host.

It could happen for several reasons, such as differences in VMware versions between the source and destination or a mismatch in the VM’s configuration settings.

How to Fix "VM Hardware Version Is Not Supported by Destination Host" Error

Now that we understand the issue, let’s look at the step-by-step methods to resolve VM version is incompatible with the destination host. There are 4 approaches you can try, and we’ll break them down for you.

1. Upgrade the Destination Host VMware Version

Sometimes, the destination host simply doesn't support the VM hardware version because it’s running an older VMware version. To resolve this, you’ll need to upgrade VMware on the destination host.

Step 1. Check the current version of VMware on both the source and destination hosts.

Step 2. Compare the VMware versions. You can do this via the vSphere client or command line.

Step 3. Upgrade the destination host to the latest version that supports the VM hardware version. After the upgrade, try migrating or running the VM again.

2. Downgrade the VM Hardware Version

If upgrading the destination host isn’t an option, another method is to downgrade the hardware version of the VM to match the capabilities of the destination host.

Step 1. Check the hardware version of a virtual machine:

▶ Downgrade the VM Hardware Version Via the VMware vSphere Client:

1. Open the vSphere Client and locate the virtual machine. Right-click the virtual machine and choose Edit Settings.

2. In VM Options, you will find the hardware version listed under Virtual Hardware.

▶Downgrade the VM Hardware Version Via VMware ESXi host (Web Client):

Log in to the ESXi Web Client. choose the virtual machine and click Edit Settings. The current hardware version will be listed under VM Options or Virtual Hardware.

Step 2. To downgrade a virtual machine hardware version, you must power off the virtual machine.

• Shut down the guest operating system: Ensure that the operating system in the VM is shut down properly.
• Power off the virtual machine: After the operating system is shut down, return to the vSphere Client or ESXi Web Client and power off the virtual machine.

Step 3. There are two ways to downgrade the VM hardware version in VMware ESXi.

👉Using the vSphere Client:

• Open the vSphere Client and go to the virtual machine.
• Right-click the virtual machine and choose Edit Settings.
• Under the VM Options tab, look for the VM Version or Hardware Version.
• VMware will provide a drop-down list showing the available versions. Select a compatible older hardware version.

❗ Note: VMware often limits the hardware version options available for downgrading, so you may not be able to downgrade to the lowest supported version.

• Click OK to apply the changes. The hardware version is downgraded to the selected version.

👉Edit the VMX file manually: If the vSphere Client does not offer sufficient degradation control, you can edit a virtual machine’s .vmx configuration file directly.

Locate the VMX File:

On the ESXi host, go to the VM’s directory (typically located in /vmfs/volumes/datastore_name/VM_name/). Find the .vmx file for the VM.

Edit the VMX File:

• Open the .vmx file in a text editor (you can use SSH to access the host or a text editor in the vSphere Client, if available).
• Find the line that specifies the hardware version, typically:

virtualHW.version = "x"

• Change the version number to the desired older hardware version. Then save and close the VMX file.

Step 4. After downgrading the VM hardware version, return to the vSphere Client or ESXi Web Client and power on the virtual machine.

3. Change VM Configuration File (VMX)

For more advanced users, directly editing the VMX file can sometimes resolve different VMware hardware version compatibility issues.

Step 1. Navigate to the VM’s folder where the VMX file is located. Back up the VMX file before making any changes.

Step 2. Open the VMX file using a text editor. Look for entries related to hardware version (e.g., virtualHW.version).

Step 3. Modify the version number to match the hardware version of the destination host. Save the changes and power on the VM.

4. Use VMware Converter to Reconfigure the VM

VMware Converter is a tool that allows you to convert VMs into compatible versions across different hosts. It’s an effective way to ensure that the VM hardware version is supported by the destination host.

Step 1. Download and install VMware vCenter Converter Standalone. Open the converter and select the source VM.

Step 2. Choose the destination host. During the conversion, select the desired hardware compatibility.

Step 3. Complete the conversion process and attempt to start the VM on the destination host.

How to Back Up VM Using AOMEI Cyber Backup

While resolving VMware issues is essential, it's equally important to keep your data protected. One tool you can rely on for this is AOMEI Cyber Backup, a professional solution for backing up your virtual machines and databases.It provides centralized backup management, allowing you to protect your VMs, servers, and critical data with ease.

AOMEI Cyber Backup has lots of features for VMware environments:

✎ Agentless Backup: Perform backups without installing software on each virtual machine.
✎ Flexible Backup: Support full, incremental and differential backups.
✎ Auto-scheduling: Configure backups to run automatically at specified intervals.
✎ Instant Disaster Recovery: Recover individual virtual machines to production environments in no time.
✎ Centralized Management: Manage all VMware backups from a easy interface.

Easy steps to perform VMware VM backup

1. Add devices

Download AOMEI Cyber Backup and click Source Device >> VMware >> + Add VMware Device to Add vCenter or Standalone ESXi host. And then click … > Bind Device.

2. Create backup task

Click Backup Task >> Create New Task.

• Enter task name and batch select large numbers of VMs managed by vCenter Server for centralized backup.
• Schedule: schedule backup as full / incremental / differential backup and specify time to run the backup.

• After configuring the backup task, review the information and click Start Backup.

3. Restore

Click New Instant Recovery > Restore from task, and select restoration content and destination.

 It rapidly restores entire VM directly to its original or a new host with minimal downtime, ensuring business continuity.

Prevent the "VM Hardware Version Is Not Supported by Destination Host" Error

Once you’ve fixed the error, you might want to know how to prevent it from happening again. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Conclusion

The "VM hardware version is not supported by destination host" error can be frustrating, but with the right approach, it’s manageable. Whether you decide to upgrade VMware, downgrade the VM hardware version, or use VMware Converter, the solutions outlined above should help you get your virtual machine up and running on the destination host.

Also, don't forget about securing your virtual machines with tools like AOMEI Cyber Backup to keep your data safe and recoverable.

FAQs

1. What causes the "VM hardware version is not supported by destination host" error?

It usually occurs due to a mismatch between the hardware version of the virtual machine and the version supported by the destination host. This can happen if the host is running an older version of VMware.

2. Can I fix the error without upgrading VMware? 

Yes, you can try downgrading the VM hardware version or using VMware Converter to ensure compatibility without upgrading the host.

3. What is AOMEI Cyber Backup used for?

AOMEI Cyber Backup is a backup solution that allows you to back up virtual machines and protect critical data. It supports both VMware and Hyper-V environments.

4. How do I prevent the "VM hardware version" error from happening again?

Keep your VMware hosts updated, maintain consistent hardware compatibility across hosts, and automate regular backups to minimize the risk of errors.

5. Is it safe to edit the VMX file manually?

Editing the VMX file can be risky if done incorrectly, as it may cause the virtual machine to become unstable. Always back up the file before making any changes.