diff --git a/plugin/ceph/src/main/java/org/zstack/storage/ceph/primary/CephPrimaryStorageFactory.java b/plugin/ceph/src/main/java/org/zstack/storage/ceph/primary/CephPrimaryStorageFactory.java
index 682fc9dadf..801f50ff43 100755
--- a/plugin/ceph/src/main/java/org/zstack/storage/ceph/primary/CephPrimaryStorageFactory.java
+++ b/plugin/ceph/src/main/java/org/zstack/storage/ceph/primary/CephPrimaryStorageFactory.java
@@ -1228,12 +1228,38 @@ public void run(MessageReply reply) {
                 }
 
                 GetVolumeWatchersReply rly = (GetVolumeWatchersReply)reply;
-                List watchers = rly.getWatchers();
+                List<String> watchers = rly.getWatchers();
                 if (watchers == null || watchers.isEmpty()) {
                     completion.success();
                     return;
                 }
 
+                // Filter out stale watchers from disconnected hosts (ZSTAC-73476)
+                // When libvirt hangs on a host, ceph rbd watchers become stale but persist,
+                // blocking VM start on other hosts. Only watchers from connected hosts are valid.
+                Set<String> disconnectedHostIps = new HashSet<>(Q.New(HostVO.class)
+                        .select(HostVO_.managementIp)
+                        .notEq(HostVO_.status, HostStatus.Connected)
+                        .listValues());
+                if (!disconnectedHostIps.isEmpty()) {
+                    List<String> activeWatchers = new ArrayList<>();
+                    for (String watcher : watchers) {
+                        String watcherIp = extractWatcherIp(watcher);
+                        if (watcherIp != null && disconnectedHostIps.contains(watcherIp)) {
+                            logger.info(String.format("filtered stale watcher from disconnected host[ip:%s] for volume[uuid:%s]: %s",
+                                    watcherIp, msg.getVolumeUuid(), watcher));
+                            continue;
+                        }
+                        activeWatchers.add(watcher);
+                    }
+                    watchers = activeWatchers;
+                }
+
+                if (watchers.isEmpty()) {
+                    completion.success();
+                    return;
+                }
+
                 String installPath = Q.New(VolumeVO.class)
                         .eq(VolumeVO_.uuid, msg.getVolumeUuid())
                         .select(VolumeVO_.installPath)
@@ -1244,6 +1270,26 @@ public void run(MessageReply reply) {
         });
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Extract IP address from rbd watcher string.
+     * Format: "watcher=IP:port/nonce client.ID cookie=COOKIE"
+     */
+    private String extractWatcherIp(String watcher) {
+        if (watcher == null) {
+            return null;
+        }
+        int idx = watcher.indexOf("watcher=");
+        if (idx < 0) {
+            return null;
+        }
+        String rest = watcher.substring(idx + 8);
+        int colonIdx = rest.indexOf(':');
+        if (colonIdx <= 0) {
+            return null;
+        }
+        return rest.substring(0, colonIdx);
+    }
+
     @Override
     public void preReleaseVmResource(VmInstanceSpec spec, Completion completion) {
         completion.success();