> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://platform9.com/kb/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://platform9.com/kb/pcd/kubernetes/kubernetes-worker-vm-stuck-in-provisioning-state.md).

# Kubernetes Worker VM Stuck in Provisioning State

## Problem

* Kubernetes cluster is stuck in `ScalingUp` state & Machine Status is stuck in `Provisioning` state.

![](https://uploads.developerhub.io/prod/K9yg/3mhaep3pbzwvifdxxvwh9whxge8bmenlm43xmsidi6ktjulsw4mqo81jex2zefbz.png)

![](https://uploads.developerhub.io/prod/K9yg/shjyaozao13nr7m367nxnrq3dkyeg0ynp03lswdol9pt6bs277de4vr4tie3lyg9.png)

## Environment

* Private Cloud Director Kubernetes - v2025.4 and Higher
* Component - Kubernetes

## Cause

* Review the `machinedeployments` from the `<SHORTNAME_DEFAULT_SERVICE>` namespace. There are no Ready replicas.

```bash
$ kubectl get machinedeployments -n <SHORTNAME_DEFAULT_SERVICE>
NAME                             CLUSTER                 REPLICAS   READY   UPDATED   UNAVAILABLE   PHASE       AGE    VERSION
test-no-ssh-3b377fe3             test-no-ssh             1                  1         1             ScalingUp   22m    v1.32.3
```

* Further checking the `machines` object, the VM is in `failed` state. In the yaml output of the machine resource, it complains about a missing key.

```bash
$ kubectl get machines -n <SHORTNAME_DEFAULT_SERVICE>
NAME                            CLUSTER   NODENAME   PROVIDERID    PHASE     AGE    VERSION
test-no-ssh-3b377fe3-9xft6-d4h6d test-no-ssh                                                                                                              Failed    25m    v1.32.3
```

```ruby
Message:               error creating Openstack instance: Bad request with: [POST https:__example1.platform9.com_nova_v2.1_<id>_servers], error message: {"badRequest": {"code": 400, "message": "Invalid key_name provided."}}
Reason:                InstanceCreateFailed
Severity:              Error
Status:                False
```

## Resolution

* As a [prerequisite](https://platform9.com/docs/private-cloud-director/private-cloud-director/k8s-pre-requisites), public SSH key needs to be added in the PCD Virtualization before creating a Kubernetes cluster. This key is used to bootstrapped into the worker nodes and will be used to access the worker nodes later.
* This can be created via UI Networks and Security SSH Keys.
* All users need to have individual SSH Key created.


---

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