Virtual Device Serial0 Will Start Disconnected
In VM Settings, ensure the "Connection" is set to the correct physical port (e.g., /dev/ttyUSB0 In 90% of cases, this error is just
The host computer lacks a physical serial port.
Which and version are you using (VMware Workstation, ESXi, Fusion)?
The method for resolving the warning depends on whether your VM is running on a Windows/Linux host or a macOS environment. virtual device serial0 will start disconnected
If the GUI settings do not stick, or if you are managing a "Headless" VM (no graphical interface), you must edit the configuration file directly.
Enterprise monitoring tools that scan VMware event logs for keywords like "warning" or "disconnected" may flag the VM as unhealthy, leading to alert fatigue for system administrators. How to Fix "virtual device serial0 will start disconnected"
This comprehensive guide explains why this error happens, provides step-by-step instructions to fix it across different VMware platforms, and outlines how to prevent it from recurring. What Causes the "serial0 will start disconnected" Error? In VM Settings, ensure the "Connection" is set
vim-cmd vmsvc/getallvms | grep -i "Your_VM_Name" vim-cmd vmsvc/reload [VM_ID] Use code with caution. Method 3: Fixing Valid Serial Connections
Once the most likely cause has been identified, you can follow these targeted solutions.
: If the serial port is configured to connect to a physical host port, a named pipe, or a specific file that is currently unavailable or inaccessible, the VM will power on with the device disconnected to prevent a full boot failure. Resolution Strategies Disable Virtual Printing : The most common fix is to navigate to Edit > Preferences > Devices in VMware Workstation and uncheck "Enable virtual printers" Modify VM Settings : Right-click the affected VM, go to , select the Serial Port device, and uncheck "Connect at power on" If the GUI settings do not stick, or
A virtual machine uses a configuration file (often a .vmx file) to define its hardware, such as hard drives, network adapters, and serial ports. "Serial0" refers to the first serial port ( COM1 ) assigned to the virtual machine.
What (Windows, Linux, macOS) your VM uses?
You downloaded or moved a pre-configured VM template created on a computer that had a physical serial port, but your current machine does not.




