Looks like a new Adobe Flash (a.k.a. Shockwave Flash) update caused widespread panic with users of the web-based flash vSphere Client 6.x leaving them with a “Shockwave Flash has Crashed” message and no vSphere Client. The immediate fix is to downgrade Adobe Flash.

VMware has released an official KB 2151945 but it only provides instructions for Windows users.

Here’s how to fix for Mac users

  1. Go to Adobe’s Archived Adobe Flash Player versions page.
  2. Scroll down to Flash Player Archives and download Flash Player 27.0.0.159 (released 10/10/2017) or use this direct link.
  3. Once the package is downloaded it should extract automagically. If it does not, extract it.
  4. Open the folder fp_27 and sub-folder 27_0_r0_159.
  5. Double click uninstall_flashplayer27_0r0_159_mac.dmg to mount the image, and run the Adobe Flash Player Uninstaller. This should uninstall the existing Flash Player on your computer.
  6. You will need to close your browser(s) at this point. Bookmark this page for reference later.

For users of Firefox

  1. After uninstalling, double click flashplayer27_0r0_159_mac.dmg and then (re)Install Adobe Flash Player. Your browser(s) should still remain closed at this point.
  2. You will be prompted to select how you want Adobe to update Flash. Be sure to select Notify me to install updates.
  3. Unmount the two disk images you mounted earlier.

For users of Chrome

  1. Delete the current flash version. Open Terminal, and run these commands: 
    cd ~/Library/Application\ Support/Google/Chrome/PepperFlash/
rm -rf 27.0.0.170
  2. Double click flashplayer27_0r0_159_macpep.dmg and then (re)Install Adobe Flash Player.
  3. You will be prompted to select how you want Adobe to update Flash. Be sure to select Notify me to install updates.
  4. Unmount the two disk images you mounted earlier.

You should now be able to get back to work in VMware vSphere Client. Drop me a note if the instructions do not work for you, I’ll be glad to update the content.