VMware Tools device driver installation failure on Windows Server

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

When installing VMware Tools on a Microsoft Windows Server guest operating system, The installation fails with these symptoms:

• VMware Tools does not install VMware device drivers
  
  For example:
   
  • VMware VMCI
  • VMware Paravirtual SCSI
  • VMware VMXNet NIC

Note: For more information, see the VMware Tools Device Drivers section in the VMware Tools Administration guide.

• In the %TEMP%\vminst.log file, you see errors similar to:

  tools-build-buildnumber: <MM/DD/YY> <time> Installing driver with INF: "C:\Program Files\Common Files\WMware\Drivers\vmxnet3\vmxnet3ndis6.inf", flags: 1
  tools-build-buildnumber: <MM/DD/YY> <time></time> Failed to install inf C:\Program Files\Common Files\WMware\Drivers\vmxnet3\vmxnet3ndis6.inf: 0x00000490
  tools-build-buildnumber: <MM/DD/YY> <time> Failed to install driver: 0x00000490. Element not found.</time></time>

Environment

• Microsoft Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022 and 2025

Cause

This issue occurs when the Device Install service is not started on the guest operating system.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, verify that the Device Install Service is started during the installation of VMware Tools. If the service does not start, start the service manually.

 

To start the Device Install Service:

1. Right-click on the Start button.
2. Select Run.
3. Enter this command and click OK: services.msc
4. Within the Services management snap-in, right-click on Device Install Service and select Start. [ if the service is already running, restart the service]
5. Install VMware Tools.

Or choose custom install while installing vmware tools and manually select or de-select the driver.