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Proxmox Cluster Error: This host already contains virtual guests

If you have been having trouble with the following error message, our Experts have your back.

This host already contains virtual guests

This error usually occurs in Proxmox when we try to join a node to a cluster, but the node still has virtual machines or containers configured on it, even if they are not running presently.

Today, we are going to take a look at the common causes behind this error and how to troubleshoot it.

Common Causes

• Leftover VM/CT Configuration Files:

  Even if we remove the VMs or CTs from the node’s configuration, the configuration files may still exist on the node’s file system. When we try to join the node to the cluster, these leftover configuration files lead to the “This host already contains virtual guests” error.
• Powered-off VMs/CTs:

  Even if virtual machines or containers are powered off on the node, the cluster will still prevent it from joining. This is because the cluster detects them in the node’s configuration, even if they are not running.
• Corrupted Configuration:

  Sometimes, the “This host already contains virtual guests” error can occur due to corrupted node configuration files. This corruption may be due to hardware malfunctions, software glitches, or incorrect configuration adjustments.

  When these files are compromised, the cluster can’t accurately detect the node’s status, leading to the error.
• Network Connectivity Issues:

  Network issues can also trigger the “This host already contains virtual guests” error when joining a Proxmox cluster. If the node’s network configuration is incorrect or it cannot communicate properly with the cluster, this error might appear.

Troubleshooting Tips

1. To begin with, make sure all VMs and CTs on the node are powered down before we try to join the cluster. This helps remove the cluster’s detection of these virtual resources, thereby allowing the node to join the cluster.
2. Next, manually delete the configuration files for the VMs and CTs from the node’s directory:

   /etc/pve/nodes/<node_name>/qemu-server/ directory

   This makes sure that the cluster cannot detect any virtual guests on the node.
3. In case we want to preserve the configuration files, back them up before deleting them, so we can restore them later if needed.
4. Also, check the node’s network settings, like IP address, gateway, and DNS, to make sure they are correctly configured. Furthermore, check if the node has a stable network connection to the other nodes in the cluster.
5. If the above steps do not fix the error, we may have to recreate the entire cluster. This involves removing the node from the cluster, deleting the cluster, and then recreating the cluster with the node.

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Conclusion

In brief, our Support Experts demonstrated how to fix Proxmox Cluster Error: This host already contains virtual guests.