The VCSA update procedure is usually easy and simple and can be performed from the VAMI as explained in a previous post: Manage VCSA updates with VAMI.

But sometimes may failed for different reasons.

For example a package installation failure, like this:

In this case will be impossible resume or stop the operation from the VAMI.

Also rebooting the VCSA VM will not solve the issue and vCenter will not working.

Logging in the VAMI will always bring the the update page with the failure.

The only way to remove the pending and stucking update is to login in the VCSA appliance using the console or SSH.

The pending update is stored in the file /etc/applmgmt/appliance/software_update_state.conf

You can simple delete this file with the command:

rm /etc/applmgmt/appliance/software_update_state.conf

The VCSA will resume it’s normal operation and you will find the update just staged and ready to be installed again.

Note that there isn’t yet a simple and automated procedure in case you have a VCHA cluster configuration.