Cannot type (using keyboard) on vSphere Web Client

[mechgt]

This is very strange:

I just deployed a new vSphere 6.0 VCSA and am using the webclient (currently Firefox on Win 10) to configure the system.  When I create a new object, there are dialog boxes that require me to input data; for example "New Distributed Port Group" prompts me to input the port group name.  The problem is that the web client is not receiving my keystrokes.  The workaround is everytime I run into a dialog box requiring keystrokes (such as inputting an object name, etc.) I have to click the Windows start button (changing focus away from the browser window) then re-click on the input box and begin typing and it works normally.... until the next dialog box is displayed where I have to click away, then return to finish entering data.  I've seen this before on another completely separate system but never chased down the solution.

Anyone else seen this and have a recommendation?

[Danooo]

Hmechgtmechgt,

I have exact same problem, using VCSA 6.5 with linked mode and external PSC. I have used migration tool to migrate one of my VC servers from Windows based VC to VCSA 6.5. Once updated I cannot type in Web Client, hope that someone from VMware will look for that as you are not the only one who has this problem. Thank you for a tip with pointing to other object which allow to skip this obvious bug.

[simonhess93]

I am also affected by the exact same issue. However, it only occurs to me when I am using Firefox to access the web client. It works fine with other browsers. Did you ever solve this issue?

[gwguruman]

I have the same issue with Firefox 53 under Win 10.  Click away and back, is a band-aid fix.  What is the permanent fix?

[Karthanon]

Also getting same error after Firefox upgraded to 55.0.3.

It's an annoying error, that's for sure. Has anyone found a fix for this yet?

[vegamite]

Greetings!

I started seeing this issue over this past weekend (Sept. 2, 2017) as well.

I am on a computer running Windows 10 with latest Firefox and Chrome, both of which no longer allow me to type in the input box to login.

I am noticing this on both the vSphere Web Client (vCenter) and View Administrator (Horizon) web clients.

Just tried accessing with the Edge browser and it works fine . . . ugh.

Everything still works on a Windows 7 computer so I am thinkin' this be a Windows 10 issue.

No solution here . . . just more clues and shared frustration.  :smileyconfused:

Peace . . . Vince

[nparas5]

Have you installed "Client Integration Plugin" in the bottom when you open WebClient logon screen?

If not after please install, there are chances it works after plugin installation. Just a Trick

[Steve Galbincea]

Same issue here in Firefox on Windows 10. Only solution for now is to click another window and then click back.

[GSXRMAN]

I too have same issue as rest and it started just a few days ago, additionally the integrated plugin now also appears at logon however able to move files into Datastore, so thats a bit misleading.

Always figured if plugin errors then that wont work.  Really strange that after all these years we still have issues conforming to choice of at min three browser flavors, IE, Chrome, Firefox.

Anyone figure this out?

[JMachieJr]

The ongoing browser issues with the vSphere client are ridiculous. Chrome will no longer work all of a sudden, and Firefox I have this very same issue trying to type anything. When will VMware listen and go back to the thick client that actually works? The web client has had issues since the day they announced it.

[mechgt]

I've now seen this in both the vCSA and Windows based vCenter Server, and multiple versions of Firefox.  There's very clearly a bug here that needs to be on someone's issue list.  The 'cannot type' issue appears to be limited to Firefox, however Chrome has it's issues as well (Flash issues and/or lack of Client Integration functionality).

[NeilP]

Same here..  Typed text does not show up until I click on the window I am typing in..

Using firefox (only just fixed an issue with the most recent version of Flash).

I fear these ridiculous web client issues are going to continue - too many browsers (Firefox, IE/Edge, Chrome etc), Operating systems and problems with the many updates to these browsers that VMware has no oversight of.. Add Flash/HTML5 to the mix and you wonder who on earth made the decision to move to a web client..

[msripada]

Can you check if you are using the Firefox 64 bit or 32 bit browsers?

I believe this is observed on FF 64 bit as the flash is 32 bit which is used. BTW, VMware is completely trying to move to hmtl5 and plan to deprecate flash based webclient.

Goodbye, vSphere Web Client! - VMware vSphere Blog

Thanks,

MS

[RajeevVCP4]

You need to repoint external PSC by command line then reboot VC and PSC

VMware Knowledge Base

[JoseMesquita]

Same issue here, using vSphere 6.7.

The Web Client works fine on Chrome 67.0.3396.99 x64 build, and IE11 on a Windows Server 2012 x64 acting as a workstation.

However, FireFox .52.0 x64 will exhibit the "cannot type " behavior.

Quick fix:

Uninstall FireFox x64 and install the x86 version.

The vsphere 6.5. and 6.7 authentication plugins will not work with FireFox above version 52. I spent hours on this, trying a couple of tricks like installing the vCentar root CA certificates on the Windows server workstation. Nothing worked for me.

That said, the authentication plugin works just fine with Chrome 67.0.3396.99 x64 and IE11,

[Alexandre d Ambra]

You can use the integrated Windows virtual keyboard as a workaround.

[forcefullpower]

I too am having this problem has anyone found a solution or is vmware just ignoring the problem.

[msripada]

If you are using 64 bit browsers, you will face this problem. Flash player is 32 bit and the browser is 64 bit. Kindly try with 32 bit and it should work fine.

Thanks,

MS

[GBartsch]

Yeah,

I don't see a current internal KB on this, but I can tell you all that using a 32bit browser seems to work in my case.

I've been having issues where the screen will simply render black when we use 64bit browsers. Switch to IE 32bit, and it works fine.

I'll dig around a big more.

[DCARichM]

I have both 32- and 64-bit Flash players installed and am still having this problem.

[Bit101]

The same problem here

- whats happening?

-are there any bug-fixes från VMwware or workarounds?

[nkhan2500]

Worked for me.

[GoldenWarrior]

We are also having the exact same problem with vCenter 6.5. The HTML5 client works, but we can't do everything in it so some settings are pretty much stuck until there's a fix for this. Flash has a tendency to crash in Chrome and IE and Edge break just by looking at them funny so basically until VMware gets everything working in HTML5 or do what everyone wants and brings back the thick client, we're at the mercy of which browser will work today.

[DCARichM]

Yes! How annoying is this 'feature'!?

There are several people in my office, all with varying problems with the Web Client. My Firefox works but Chrome does not (Flash problem apparently) yet others in the office are using Chrome successfully (same version of Chrome and same Flash version - go figure!) My IE used to work but now does not, two days later. I'm not convinced this is a Windows 10 thing...yet.

vSphere Web Client Compatibility Problems - Ongoing

Anyway, your workaround is working so thanks for that!

[criticaltgraham]

Same issue here. vCenter virtual appliance (version 6.5), web client is Firefox (latest) on Windows 10.

[WackyWRZ]

I'm also seeing this issue in Firefox 58 and 59.  I've opened a bug report on bugzilla since it seems to be related to Firefox as all other browsers seem to work fine.  Bug report is here: 1435542 - VMware vCenter 6.5 Flash web client not accepting keyboard input

[SPeedYdr]

It is unbelievable that a post six months old still has not gotten any attention from the vmware team. I keep searching for possible solutions and end in the same place, Firefox doesn't work, Chrome doesn't work, Edge kinda works, crashes often and yet no has push the restore button yet and restore the thick client?

[koakeson]

Installing Firefox 32bit on Windows 10 and making sure I ran the 32bit version solved the problem for me.

I will also be talking to our team members about this and getting it documented.

[mdanshin]

Have same issue on VCenter Web Client 6.5 and Firefox Quantum 60.0 (64-bit). Please help!

[Tittan]

In my case firefox quantum 32bits not resolved the issue.

[krigul]

My temporary fix is to minimize the window and then maximize it, but you need to do this everytime you need to add text.