Learn how to fix Version Mismatch with VMX86 Driver Error in VMware. Our VMware Support team is here to help you with your questions and concerns.

How to Fix Version Mismatch with VMX86 Driver Error in VMware

The “Version mismatch with vmx86 driver” error in VMware is common when the VMware software version and its underlying driver (e.g., `vmx86.sys` on Windows) are not aligned.

The `vmx86` driver is essential for VMware to interface with the system’s hardware and allow virtual machines to operate. Any mismatch disrupts this functionality, rendering VMware unable to run virtual machines effectively.

What Causes the “Version Mismatch with vmx86 Driver” Error?

1. A partial upgrade or failed installation may leave the driver out of sync with VMware.
2. Running an older version of VMware on a system with a newer `vmx86` driver can trigger this error.
3. Corrupted VMware files or drivers can lead to conflicts.
4. Installing multiple VMware products, like Workstation and Player, can cause mismatched driver issues.
5. OS updates (e.g., Windows feature updates or Linux kernel updates) may invalidate the compatibility of the `vmx86` driver.

How to Fix the “Version Mismatch with vmx86 Driver” Error

1. System Reboot

A reboot can reload the driver and resolve temporary conflicts, especially if a transient issue causes the error.

2. Reinstall or Repair Vmware

• For Windows Users:
  1. Navigate to Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program.
  2. Select VMware Workstation or Fusion and click Repair.
  3. If the repair option isn’t available, uninstall VMware, download the latest version from the official site, and reinstall it.
• For macOS or Linux Users:
  1. On macOS, move VMware Fusion to the Trash and reinstall the latest version.
  2. On Linux, uninstall VMware Workstation with:

     sudo vmware-installer --uninstall-product vmware-workstation

     Then, download and reinstall the latest version.

3. Manually Replace the vmx86 Driver

If the `vmx86` driver is corrupt or mismatched, manually replacing it can resolve the issue.

• For Windows:
  1. Navigate to the VMware installation directory (e.g., `C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation`).
  2. Locate the `vmx86.sys` file in `C:\Windows\System32\drivers\`.
  3. Compare its version with VMware’s by right-clicking the file and selecting Properties > Details.
  4. If there’s a mismatch, uninstall and reinstall VMware to ensure proper driver installation.
• For Linux:
  1. Check if the `vmx86` module is loaded:

     lsmod | grep vmmon
  2. If outdated, rebuild VMware modules:

     sudo vmware-modconfig --console –install-all

4. Check for Conflicting VMware Versions

If we have multiple VMware products installed, such as Workstation and Player:

• Uninstall one of the versions to prevent conflicts.
• Ensure only one VMware product is installed and properly configured.

5. Resolve Windows Update Conflicts

Windows updates can sometimes cause driver issues:

1. Check if any recent updates coincide with the error by navigating to Settings > Update & Security > View update history.
2. If necessary, uninstall recent updates or roll back to a previous version until VMware releases a patch.

6. Update VMware to the Latest Version

VMware frequently releases updates to fix bugs and enhance compatibility. So, make sure we download the latest version from the website.

7. Verify Operating System Compatibility

Also, make sure the VMware version is compatible with the operating system. Check VMware’s compatibility matrix to confirm the configuration is supported.

8. Rebuild VMware Modules on Linux

After updating the Linux kernel, we may need to rebuild VMware modules:

sudo vmware-modconfig --console –install-all

This recompiles the necessary kernel modules to match the updated system.

Additional Troubleshooting Tips

• Check the VMware logs for detailed error information. On Linux, logs are typically in `/var/log/vmware/`, while on Windows, check the VM’s directory.
• On Windows, ensure you run VMware with administrator privileges to avoid permission issues with loading the `vmx86` driver.
• Reinstall system drivers like graphics and network drivers, which can sometimes interact with Vmware.

[Need assistance with a different issue? Our team is available 24/7.]

Conclusion

The “Version mismatch with vmx86 driver” error can be resolved with systematic troubleshooting, including rebooting the system or reinstalling VMware or its drivers.

In brief, our Support Experts demonstrated how to fix Version Mismatch with VMX86 Driver Error in VMware.