Fix VMware Bridged Network Not Working on Windows

If you’re running virtual machines using VMware on a Windows host and your bridged network suddenly stops working, it can be incredibly frustrating, especially if your VM needs internet or local network access. Fortunately, there are several tried-and-tested methods to restore connectivity. In this guide, we’ll explore effective ways to diagnose and fix VMware bridged network issues on Windows, whether you’re using VMware Workstation or VMware Player.

Why the Bridged Network Fails

VMware’s Bridged Networking mode connects your virtual machine directly to the physical network using your host’s network adapter. This means your VM gets an IP address from the same pool as your host, allowing it to communicate with other machines on the network as a peer. However, when this setup breaks, it could be due to:

• Changes in your host’s network adapter configuration
• Windows updates altering network settings
• Security software interference
• Corrupt or misconfigured VMware virtual network drivers

Let’s walk through how to systematically fix the problem.

1. Restart VMware Networking Services

Occasionally, VMware services may fail to initialize properly. Restarting the VMware Bridge Protocol service can help:

1. Open the Run dialog using Windows + R.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
3. Find VMware DHCP Service and VMware NAT Service. Restart both.
4. Ensure VMware Authorization Service is running too.

If the problem persists, we’ll need to dive deeper.

2. Reinstall the Virtual Network Editor

VMware Workstation Pro and VMware Player come with a tool called the Virtual Network Editor. You can use this to reset the network settings:

1. Open VMware and go to Edit → Virtual Network Editor.
2. You may need to run it as administrator. Click the Change Settings button.
3. Select the Bridged network (typically VMnet0).
4. Click Restore Default to reset all network adapters.

This step often resolves configuration mismatches or corrupt adapter setups.

3. Check Host Network Adapter Settings

Your physical network interface must be properly bound to the VMware Bridge Protocol. To confirm:

1. Open Network Connections in Windows (ncpa.cpl in Run window).
2. Right-click your main network adapter and choose Properties.
3. Ensure that VMware Bridge Protocol is checked.

If the option doesn’t exist, VMware might not be installed correctly. Consider reinstalling VMware Workstation with administrative privileges.

4. Select the Correct Physical Adapter

Sometimes VMware binds to the wrong adapter, especially on systems with multiple network interfaces (like Ethernet and Wi-Fi):

1. Launch the Virtual Network Editor again.
2. Under VMnet0, change the setting from Automatic to Specific Network Adapter.
3. Select your active connection (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) from the list.
4. Save and restart VMware and your virtual machine.

5. Disable Conflicting Software

Some antivirus programs, firewalls, or VPN clients interfere with virtual network adapters. Try temporarily disabling them and test if your bridged connection gets restored. If it works, consider adding exceptions in the security software for VMware-related processes like:

• vmware-vmx.exe
• vmnetbridge.exe
• vmnat.exe

6. Reinstall VMware Network Drivers

Corrupted drivers often cause network communication issues. You can manually repair this by:

1. Uninstall VMware completely.
2. Remove any leftover VMware network adapters in Device Manager.
3. Reboot your PC.
4. Install the latest VMware version as Administrator.

This ensures a fresh installation of all necessary services and drivers.

Final Thoughts

While VMware’s bridged networking should “just work,” a lot of underlying components can cause it to break. Whether it’s a driver, setting, or external software, the steps outlined above will help you systematically troubleshoot and fix the issue. Stay patient and methodical, and soon your virtual machines will be back online with robust, bridged connectivity.

Understanding the architecture of VMware’s networking can also help prevent similar issues in the future. Consider regularly checking for VMware updates and backing up your configuration through the Virtual Network Editor for peace of mind.