VMware Virtual Machine Status: Appears to Be In Use
After attempting to power on a virtual machine in VMware Workstation post-closure, we faced an issue indicating that the machine was already in use. This error is not unique, as many users have reported similar experiences. Therefore, if your virtual machine shows as in use within VMware Workstation, this article will guide you through the resolution process.
This virtual machine is currently in use.
If you are certain that the virtual machine is not in use, click the “Take Ownership” button to claim it. If unsure, press “Cancel” to safeguard against any potential damage.
Troubleshooting the Virtual Machine in Use Error in VMware
When encountering the error that your VMware virtual machine is in use, while the “Take Ownership”option is available, it may not resolve the problem. Instead, follow the steps outlined below to fix the issue.
- Conduct basic troubleshooting steps
- Rebuild the Virtual Machine
- Eliminate Lock files from the VM directory
- Inspect for VMware updates
- Reinstall VMware
If you are confident that the virtual machine is not in use, click the Take Ownership button to access it. If there is any doubt, click Cancel and consider the recommendations below.
1] Conduct Basic Troubleshooting Steps
Before diving into more complex solutions, try some basic troubleshooting techniques such as restarting VMware and rebooting your computer. These actions can help address minor glitches, including stuck processes or uncompleted shutdowns. Start by closing VMware Workstation, then pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and confirm that no VMware processes are running in the background.
After ensuring the processes are terminated, proceed with a system reboot to clear memory caches and stop any lingering tasks. This will create an optimal environment for VMware to operate. Once your system restarts, open VMware again and try launching the virtual machine to see if the issue has been resolved.
2] Eliminate Lock Files from the VM Directory
VMware uses lock files to avoid multiple processes accessing the same VM files at once; however, these files can become corrupted, leading to complications like the current situation. Furthermore, after a crash or improper shutdown, these leftover or stranded lock files can hinder the virtual machine from starting. Fortunately, you can resolve this by deleting the relevant files.
To delete the lock files, follow these steps:
- First, ensure that the VM is powered off and close VMware Workstation.
- Access the directory where VMware files are stored and locate all folders with the. lck suffix. It’s advisable to back up these files in case you need to revert changes. To find out the directory in VMware Workstation, click on the VM and check the Configuration file field.
- Right-click on each detected lock file and delete them.
After you’ve completed these steps, start the VM and confirm if the issue is resolved.
3] Rebuild the Virtual Machine
The locking issue with the virtual machine files often arises from unexpected shutdowns, leftover lock files, or concurrent access attempts from different sessions. To tackle this, you can recreate the Virtual Machine, which can refresh its configuration. Here’s how:
- Open the VMware Sphere Client, head to the inventory where your Virtual Machine is listed, right-click on it, and select Remove.
- In VMware Workstation, go to File > New Virtual Machine.
- Then create a virtual machine as you normally would for the operating system you plan to use.
- After the machine is set up, right-click on it and choose Settings.
- Select Hard Disk, and click on Add > Next.
- Keep the default options unless you have specific requirements. When prompted to select the hard disk, choose Use an existing virtual disk and hit Next.
- Click Browse, navigate to the original VM’s location, and select its vmdk file.
- Once everything is set, click Finish and start the virtual machine.
Check if the issue has been fixed. If it persists, proceed to the next solution.
4] Inspect for VMware Updates
Installing updates often brings improvements to error-handling. If the problem is the result of software bugs or compatibility issues, updating VMware could be a beneficial solution. To check for updates:
- Launch VMware and select Help from the menu at the top.
- Click on Software Update, then wait while VMware checks for the latest updates.
- Click on the Download and Install button, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.
After updating, check if the problem has been resolved.
5] Reinstall VMware
If you find that installation files or software components have become corrupted, consider reinstalling the VMware Workstation as a final measure. This not only helps in fixing bugs but also addresses compatibility issues.
- Open Settings by pressing Win + I, navigate to the Apps section, and select Installed apps.
- Locate VMware, click the three dots next to it, and choose Uninstall, ensuring that any leftover files or registry entries are also removed.
- Download the most recent version of VMware Workstation Pro. Once downloaded, open the installer and follow the prompts to install VMware Workstation.
- After the installation is over, restart your PC, launch the application, adjust the settings as necessary, and set up a new Virtual Machine.
With any luck, implementing the solutions outlined in this guide will resolve your issue.
How Can I Automatically Start a Virtual Machine in VMware?
To enable automatic startup for your Virtual Machine, access the Virtual machines option from your inventory, right-click on the Virtual Machine, select the Autostart option > Configure, and choose your preferred setting from the pop-up menu. Finally, hit the Save button to confirm your changes.
How Can I Force a VM to Shut Down in VMware?
To forcibly power off a Virtual Machine in VMware, click on it, and head to the top menu bar. Select VM, then Power, and choose the Power off option. If this option is greyed out or unresponsive, utilizing Task Manager may be necessary to forcefully terminate it.
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