Network interface is not automatically connected when powering on a VM

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

• After powering on the virtual machine, the network interface was not connected, causing network connectivity issues.
• Confirm if the vmx file contains the following entries.
  ethernet0.startConnected = "FALSE"

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0.x
VMware vSphere ESXi 8.0.x

Cause

The ethernet0.startConnected = "FALSE" parameter in the virtual machine's .vmx file explicitly instructs ESXi not to connect the network adapter when the VM powers on

Resolution

Check the box for Connect At Power On.

1. Log in to the vSphere Client.
2. Browse to the target VM in the vSphere Client.
3. Right-click and select Edit Settings.
4. Edit Network adapter.
5. Check the box for Connect At Power On.
6. Select OK to save the configuration.