Having trouble moving a virtual machine from one ESXi host to another? Don’t panic — this practical guide from Vinchin walks you through the most common causes and proven solutions step by step. It’s a perfect quick checklist before you dive into deeper troubleshooting.
Here are 5 things to check first:
- Licensing: Make sure both source and target hosts have the correct vMotion or Cross-vCenter licenses.
- ESXi Version Compatibility: Ensure both hosts are running compatible ESXi versions.
- CPU Compatibility: The target host’s CPU must match or exceed the source host’s capabilities.
- Cluster/vCenter Setup: Standard vMotion works within the same vCenter; cross-vCenter migrations require higher versions and specific licensing.
- Network Configuration: Double-check VM network and virtual switch settings — even small mismatches can break the migration.
The original article also includes detailed screenshots, real-world error examples, and alternative migration methods (like using Vinchin Backup & Recovery for emergency moves).
📖 Read the full guide here:
👉 How to Fix “Unable to Migrate VM to Another ESXi Host” — Vinchin
