Troubleshooting a slow network connection in Windows Virtual machines on VMware Fusion

Products

VMware Desktop Hypervisor

Issue/Introduction

This article provides the general steps to follow when your windows virtual machine's network connection is significantly slower than expected.

Note: When your virtual machine's network connection is not working, see Troubleshooting networking and internet connection issues in VMware Fusion (1016466).

Environment

VMware Fusion 2.x
VMware Fusion Pro 10.x
VMware Fusion Pro 11.x
VMware Fusion 11.x
VMware Fusion 7.x
VMware Fusion 4.x
VMware Fusion 8.x
VMware Fusion 5.x
VMware Fusion 6.x
VMware Fusion 3.x
VMware Fusion Pro 8.x
VMware Fusion 10.x

Resolution

Each step below provides instructions and a link to a document, for performing the step and taking corrective action as necessary. The steps are ordered in the most appropriate sequence to isolate the issue and to identify the proper resolution. They are also ordered in the most appropriate sequence to minimize data loss. After completing each step, check your network connection again. Work through each troubleshooting step in order, and do not skip a step.

To troubleshoot a slow network connection:

Determine if the issue is happening in both Bridged and NAT mode, or only in one of these modes. For more information, see Understanding networking types in VMware Fusion (1022264).

If the issue occurs only in Bridged mode, the issue is caused by your gateway or router. Investigate your router configuration, or contact your ISP, to resolve the issue.
Confirm that your virtual machine's firewall is not restricting the Internet access. For information on turning off your firewall, see:
- Windows XP – The Microsoft Knowledge Base article 283673
- Windows Vista – The Microsoft article Turn Windows Firewall on or off
- Windows 7 – The Microsoft article Turn Windows Firewall on or off
- Windows 8 – The Microsoft article Windows Firewall from start to finish
- Windows 10 - The Microsoft article Turn Windows Firewall On/Off
  
  Warning: Turning off your firewall can leave your computer open to attack. This is a troubleshooting step only. If turning off the firewall resolves the issue, consult the operating system's documentation for instructions to configure it properly, so that it does not completely block this connection.
  
  Note: The preceding links were correct as of September 10, 2010. If you find the link is broken, please provide feedback and a VMware employee will update the link.
Confirm that your virtual machine's antivirus program is not restricting the Internet access. Consult the Help menu of the antivirus program or see the manufacturer's documentation for instructions on configuring it correctly.
Run an anti-virus (and anti-spyware, and anti-malware) scan in your virtual machine, to confirm that no malicious software is installed.
Go to Virtual Machine > Shut Down or Virtual Machine > Shut Down Guest to shutdown the virtual machine, and then restart your Mac.
Confirm that Fusion's services are working properly. For more information, see Determining the status of VMware Fusion's host services (1020900).
Rule out any software conflict on the Mac by performing a Safe Boot. For more information, see Using Safe Boot (1004017).
After your Mac reboots, reopen Fusion and ensures that the correct virtual machine type is set:
1. In Fusion, go to Window > Virtual Machine Library and select your virtual machine.
2. In the Operating System dropdown (under the name of the virtual machine, in the right-hand pane), select the correct version of Windows running on your virtual machine.
Update the Windows network adapter in Device Manager:
1. Start the virtual machine.
2. Click Start, right-click Computer, and click Manage.
3. Click Device Manager in the left pane.
4. Click the arrow to expand the Network Adapters section.
5. Right-click your Ethernet Controller in that list (name may vary) and click Update Driver Software.
6. Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
7. If the driver is not automatically detected:
  1. Repeat Step e and select Browse my computer for driver software.
  2. Select Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.
  3. Select VMware Accelerated AMD PCNet Adapter Version: 2.0.3.6 for Windows XP and Select Intel Pro/1000 MT Network Connection for Windows Vista and 7.
8. Click Close.
9. Restart Windows.
Uninstall and re-install all network adapters in Device Manager:
1. Start the virtual machine.
2. Click Start, right-click Computer, and click Manage.
3. Click Device Manager in the left pane.
4. Click the arrow to expand the Network Adapters section.
5. Right-click the device Intel(R) PRO/1000 MT Network Connection and click Uninstall.
6. In the menu bar, click Action > Scan for hardware changes.
7. Restart Windows.
Download and reinstall Fusion. This ensure that you have the most recent version, and that any missing or corrupted virtual network settings are replaced or repaired. For more information, see Downloading and installing VMware Fusion (2014097).

If the issue continues to exist after trying the steps in this article:

Collect the VMware Support information. For more information, see Collecting diagnostic information for VMware Fusion (1003894).
File a support request with VMware Support and quote this Knowledge Base article ID (1027976) in the problem description. For more information, see Create and manage support request