Patch VMware ESXi hosts by command line without update manager for example.

Step 1. Download the latest patch bundle from link. Patches are cumulative.

Each patch bundle (.zip archive) includes all the updates from prior patches.

Step 2. Upload the patch zip to a datastore.

Step 3. Enable SSH

In the vSphere Web client start the SSH service and make a SSH session to the ESXi host

Step 4. Put the host in maintenance mode

vim-cmd hostsvc/maintenance_mode_enter

Step 5. Install the patch bundle

esxcli software vib update -d /vmfs/volumes/datastore/patchbundle.zip

After the patch bundle is installed check the message. It must say “The update completed successfully, but the system needs to be rebooted for changes to be effective.”

Step 6. Reboot the host  by entering the following command:

Reboot

Step 7. Make a SSH session to the ESXi host and exit maintenance mode

vim-cmd hostsvc/maintenance_mode_exit