Charts for an Apps Repository missing in the Rancher UI due to version incompatibility
Article Number: 000022309
Environment
- Rancher v2.5+
Situation
A user attempts to install a Helm chart into a Rancher-managed cluster, through the Rancher UI, using the Apps feature, e.g. from the Rancher Prime or Partners chart repositories. Although the chart repository is successfully added and shows an "Active" status, the expected charts do not appear under Apps -> Charts.
Cause
This behaviour is intended and is enforced by the Helm chart metadata. All Helm charts within the Rancher and Partners repositories contain specific constraints defined in the chart's Chart.yaml file.
Within this file, the annotations kube-version and rancher-version define a strict range of supported Kubernetes and Rancher versions. If the cluster's Kubernetes or Rancher version falls outside of this defined range, the Rancher UI automatically filters out and hides the chart to prevent incompatible and unsupported chart installations.
Example of version-locked code:
- Rancher v2.11 charts: support limited to Kubernetes versions >= 1.30.0 and < 1.33.0.
- Rancher v2.12 charts: support limited to Kubernetes versions >= 1.31.0 and < 1.34.0.
Resolution
To resolve this visibility issue, ensure that the versions of Rancher and Kubernetes are compatible according to the official SUSE Rancher Support Matrix.
Given the situation of running an incompatible combination of Rancher and Kubernetes versions, the recommended path to return to a supported configuration, is a restore to a pre-upgraded state where the versions were compatible. You can then proceed to upgrade in accordance with the Rancher Upgrade Checklist, checking the Support Matrix.