Setting the file. One moment.
Chapter 15 · Azure Diagnostics
Subchapter 15.34
troubleshooting/compute/references/vm-agent-not-responding.mdMarkdown4 KBView on GitHub
Run Command and password reset depend on the VM agent. If the agent is unhealthy, alternative methods are needed.
⚠️ OS Note: Serial Console, Boot Diagnostics, and repair VM commands are available for both Windows and Linux but use separate doc pages and tools. Match the correct OS below.
| Symptom | OS | Solution | Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Run Command times out | Windows | VM agent may be down — use Serial Console instead | Serial Console — Windows (opens in a new tab) |
| Run Command times out | Linux | VM agent may be down — use Serial Console instead | Serial Console — Linux (opens in a new tab) |
| Password reset fails via Portal/CLI | Windows | VMAccess extension can’t communicate — use offline reset | Reset password without agent (opens in a new tab) |
| Password/key reset fails via Portal/CLI | Linux | VMAccess extension can’t communicate — use Serial Console | Serial Console — Linux (opens in a new tab) |
| VM not booting (Boot Diagnostics shows BSOD/stuck) | Windows | OS-level issue — use repair VM for offline fix | Repair Windows VM (opens in a new tab) |
| VM not booting (Boot Diagnostics shows kernel panic/stuck) | Linux | Use repair VM for offline Linux disk fix | Repair Linux VM (opens in a new tab) |
| VMAccess extension error on domain controller | Windows | VMAccess doesn’t support DCs — use Serial Console | Serial Console — Windows (opens in a new tab) |
# Connect to Serial Console via CLI
az serial-console connect --name <vm-name> -g <resource-group>
# Enable boot diagnostics (required for Serial Console)
az vm boot-diagnostics enable --name <vm-name> -g <resource-group>
# Get boot diagnostics screenshot/log
az vm boot-diagnostics get-boot-log --name <vm-name> -g <resource-group>
# Create repair VM for offline fixes
az vm repair create --name <vm-name> -g <resource-group> \
--repair-username repairadmin --repair-password '<password>'
# Restore after offline fix
az vm repair restore --name <vm-name> -g <resource-group>