No Network Connection in Workstation

[mike98765]

Hello, I recently installed VMware Workstation and installed a few Virtual Machines. When I installed them they all had working connections to the internet. Now after a few days, none of them will connect. The Host OS connects to the internet fine. After running troubleshoot they all say that I need to plug in an Ethernet cable. The Network Adapter on VMware Workstation says it's connected and is set to NAT. Does anyone know how I can get internet access? Thanks

[a_p_]

Welcome to the Community,

please check whether the VMware services on the hosts are running. If there's an issue with one of the services check the Windows event logs. Do you have an Internet Security/Endpoint Protection software running on the host?

André

[mike98765]

Hi its me again, thanks for the reply. The 3 VMware services are running and still no internet. Should I have anymore Services? As for the Internet Security, I have Norton 360 and Malwarebytes. Do you think they are blocking Workstation? My Host OS is Windows Server 2012 R2. Do you think that is blocking the internet? I'll wait for your replies.

[a_p_]

I don't want to rule out anything at this time.

You said, the VM's report that they are not connected, although the virtual network adapter is connected in the VMs settings. I assume the VM's are configured for DHCP? Although unlikely, please check whether they get a lease from the VMware DHCP server, or if they run with an APIPA address?

If they don't get a lease, try to configure an IP-Address manually, setting the DNS and Default Gateway address to 192.168.xxx.2 (where xxx is you NAT network). Also make sure you use an IP-Address between 192.168.xxx.3 ...127.

André

[mike98765]

Thanks for the reply. I used the Virtual Network Editor and checked and their configured for DHCP and the IP Addresses look correct. Here's a screenshot:

Any Ideas?

[a_p_]

You posted an image for the Host-Only network. However, I assume the DHCP option is enabled for NAT too?

What about the guests, do they receive an IP address in the NAT (192.168.159.x) subnet? And can you confirm that the virtual network adapter is set to "Connect at power on" and/or "Connected" in the individual VM's settings?

André

[mike98765]

DHCP is enabled for NAT, and the network adapter is set to "Connect at power on" and "Connected." Here's the screenshots:

Any ideas?

[mike98765]

Hi it's me again. I made some progress. I changed the Network Adapter to from NAT to Host-Only and got it to find "Unidentified Network". Still no Internet access but a small improvement. Also, I found VMware Workstation Server is "Stopped". Is that the problem? I can get it to start for 60 seconds or so but then it stops again. Here's a screenshot of "Network and Sharing Center"

[a_p_]

Just to recap. With NAT you get network adapter not connected and with Host-Only you get the Unidentified Network (i.e. network adapter shows as connected)?

In this case I'd try to temporarily disable the Norton etc. to see whether this makes a difference with the NAT network.

André

[mike98765]

I disabled Norton 360 and still no Internet. VMware workstation is "allowed" through the Norton firewall. After running Troubleshooter I get this message: "Local Area Connection does not have a valid IP address". Is that the problem? How should I set the IP Address? My host still has Internet.

[a_p_]

With the VMs network set to NAT, please run ipconfig /all from the host as well as from the guest OS and post the results. For the host, only the settings for VMnet8 are interesting.

André

[admin]

What is your guest OS? Which vnic is connected to the guest, e1000 or e1000e?

[mike98765]

Here's the results from ipconfig /all. I wasn't sure how to post it so I hope you can read it. The first two are from the Host OS and the third is for one of the VM's. My guest OS is Windows 7. I'm not sure what vnic is connected to the Guest.

[a_p_]

That's weird. The virtual host adapter (VMnet8) shows up correctly. Please try to reset the virtual network configuration using the "Restore Default" button in the Virtual Network Editor to see whether this helps.

André

[admin]

From the output of ipconfig of the VM, the vNic of the guest shows as e1000 and of course, it is Windows 7 VM.

[mike98765]

Good news! I reset the Virtual Network Editor to default and then used VMnet0(Bridged) and it connected to the Internet. I will try this with my other VM's and hopefully it will work. Thanks for the help.

[www23456]

have you tried 'restore to default' (root privilege?)? I did not see 'vmnet0' from the 'virtual network editor'?

[jackee1234]

I use the approach here to solve my problem:

My Technical Blog: VMWare Internet Connection Problem

[ittvn]

Hey friend, you can refer to a tutorial here, it have a three way for VmWare Workstation connect Internet (Brigde, NAT and Host Only) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX7BqeBGTY8