Starting with v.8.0u2, ESXi changed how you upgrade a host from the CLI. esxcli software vib install -d "path to depot file" no longer works for a version change.

Broadcom explains the change here: https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/380215/esxi-version-change-is-not-allowed-using.html.

You now have to specify both the depot location and the ESXi image profile.

EXAMPLE: esxcli software profile update –depot="/path to depot file" –profile=“name of esxi profile”

To find the ESXi profile for your update, run:

“esxcli software sources profile list -d /vmfs/volumes/esx04_local/VMware-ESXi-8.0U3-24022510-depot.zip”

esxcli software profile install –depot="/vmfs/volumes/esx04_local /VMware-ESXi-8.0U3-24022510-depot.zip" –profile= ESXi-8.0U3-24022510-standard

The update should run as shown above. Reboot the host when it completes.