fsck.vmfs -D /vmfs/devices/disks/naa.xxxx If the VMFS partition is missing, recreate it manually without overwriting data:
From vSphere Client or CLI:
vmkfstools -V esxcli storage vmfs snapshot mount -u <UUID> Find the UUID using: esxcli storage vmfs snapshot list recovery vmware datastore
Recovering a VMware datastore is a high-stakes operation. Success depends on understanding the underlying storage architecture, identifying the root cause, and applying the correct recovery methodology—whether that involves repairing file system metadata, restoring from backups, or using data recovery tools. But regardless of the underlying technology
In modern vSphere environments, consider moving toward , VMFS with snapshots , or VVols – each offers different recovery capabilities. But regardless of the underlying technology, a well-documented recovery plan and regular drills are the true keys to minimizing downtime when disaster strikes. Last updated: 2025 – Compatible with vSphere 7.x and 8.x or suffers data loss
Introduction In any vSphere environment, the datastore is the fundamental storage container that holds virtual machines (VMs), ISO images, templates, and other critical files. When a datastore becomes inaccessible, corrupted, or suffers data loss, the impact is immediate and severe: VMs may fail to power on, storage vMotion operations halt, and in worst-case scenarios, production workloads are completely offline.