How do I restart VMware workstation services?

To restart VMware Workstation services, the most common and recommended method involves using the Windows Services management console. This process ensures that all necessary background services for VMware Workstation are properly refreshed, resolving potential issues with virtual machine operation or networking.

How Do I Restart VMware Workstation Services?

Restarting VMware Workstation services typically involves navigating to the Windows Services management console, identifying the relevant VMware processes, and then initiating a restart for each. This is a common troubleshooting step for various issues.

Method 1: Using the Windows Services Console (Recommended)

The Windows Services console provides a centralized interface to manage all services running on your system, including those essential for VMware Workstation.

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps to effectively restart your VMware Workstation services:

1. Open the Run Dialog Box:
   • Press the Windows key + R simultaneously on your keyboard. This will open the "Run" dialog box.
2. Access the Services Console:
   • In the "Run" dialog box, type services.msc and click OK or press Enter. This action will open the "Services" management console.
3. Identify VMware Services:
   • Within the Services window, scroll down to locate all services that begin with "VMware." These are the services crucial for VMware Workstation's operation. Common examples include:
     • VMware Authorization Service
     • VMware DHCP Service
     • VMware NAT Service
     • VMware Workstation Server
4. Restart Each VMware Service:
   • For each VMware service you've identified, perform the following actions to restart it:
     • If the service is running: Right-click on the service and select Restart.
     • If the service is running, and "Restart" is not available or fails: Right-click, select Stop, then wait a few seconds. After it has stopped, right-click again and select Start.
     • If the service is stopped: Right-click on the service and select Start. This will ensure all necessary services are running.
5. Verify Status:
   • After attempting to restart or start each service, check the "Status" column to ensure it shows "Running."

Important Considerations

• Administrator Privileges: You must have administrator privileges to stop, start, or restart services on your Windows system.
• Order of Operations: While not always critical, some services might depend on others. Generally, restarting them one by one, or using the "Restart" option which handles dependencies, is sufficient.
• Virtual Machines: Ensure all virtual machines are shut down or suspended before restarting services to prevent data corruption.

Common VMware Workstation Services

Here are some of the key services you might encounter when managing VMware Workstation:

• VMware Authorization Service: Handles permissions and licensing for VMware products.
• VMware DHCP Service: Provides DHCP services to virtual networks.
• VMware NAT Service: Manages Network Address Translation for virtual machines.
• VMware USB Arbitration Service: Allows virtual machines to connect to USB devices.
• VMware Workstation Server: The core service for managing and running virtual machines.

When to Restart Services

Restarting VMware Workstation services is a useful troubleshooting step in several scenarios:

• After Software Updates: Following an update to VMware Workstation, a service restart can ensure all changes are applied correctly.
• Network Connectivity Issues: If your virtual machines are experiencing problems connecting to the network (e.g., no internet, unable to ping), restarting DHCP and NAT services can help.
• Virtual Machine Startup Problems: If a virtual machine fails to start or encounters errors, restarting the main Workstation services can often resolve the issue.
• Performance Lags: Occasionally, services might become unresponsive, leading to performance degradation. A restart can refresh them.
• USB Device Detection Issues: If virtual machines are not detecting connected USB devices, restarting the USB Arbitration Service may help.

Alternative Method: Command Prompt (Advanced)

For users comfortable with the command line, services can also be managed via an elevated Command Prompt.

1. Open Elevated Command Prompt:
   • Type cmd in the Windows search bar, right-click on "Command Prompt," and select Run as administrator.
2. Stop a Service:
   • To stop a service, use the command: net stop "Service Name" (e.g., net stop "VMware Authorization Service")
3. Start a Service:
   • To start a service, use the command: net start "Service Name" (e.g., net start "VMware Authorization Service")

Remember to replace "Service Name" with the exact name of the VMware service you wish to manage.