Setup failed to install the VMXNet3 driver automatically. This driver will have to be installed manually

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

During an upgrade of VMware Tools you get an error that setup failed.

Error: Setup failed to install the VMXNet3 driver automatically.  This driver will have to be installed manually.

 

Windows Device Manager shows a yellow bang under Other Devices, Ethernet Controller.

Network device in Device Manager is missing the vmxnet3 Ethernet Adapter.  

Example of what you should see:

Uninstall of VMware Tools and Install of VMware Tools does not remove the yellow bang from Other Devices, Ethernet Controller.  vmxnet3 device does not show up in Device Manager.  

Environment

VMware Tools on Windows VM.

Cause

VMXNet3 driver failed to install.  

Resolution

Follow the KB article "Extracting the drivers from VMware Tools bundled with VMware vSphere/Workstation" to extract the VMware Tools drivers.

1. Right-click the 'Ethernet Controller' (marked with a yellow exclamation mark) under 'Other Devices' and select 'Update Driver'.

2. Choose Browse 'My Computer' for drivers, then browse to the 'Extract' folder where you extracted the drivers (e.g., the Extract folder).

3. Select the appropriate driver and proceed with the installation.

4. Once the driver is installed, restart the virtual machine.

Additional Information

Update drivers through Device Manager in Windows