How do I solve the problem: VMware authorization service does not work

  • Many Windows users report the “The VMware Authorization Service is not running” error when they try to run a virtual machine on a VMware Workstation or VMware Player.
  • The problem is not limited to a specific version of Windows, as it also occurs on Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.
  • The possible solutions listed below are ranked in order of effectiveness and severity, we recommend that you follow the methods in that order.

 

Troubleshooting issues with VMware Authorization Service not running can be a daunting task for many users. In this article, we will explore effective solutions and methods to resolve this problem. Whether you are a tech-savvy professional or a beginner, our step-by-step guide will help you overcome this hurdle and get your VMware up and running smoothly. So, let’s dive in and find the solution to this perplexing issue!

Restart the VMware Authorization Service: Go to the “Services” application in Windows, locate the “VMware Authorization Service,” right-click on it, and select “Restart.” This can help resolve any temporary issues with the service.

Troubleshooting the “VMware Authorization Service is Not Running” Error

If you encounter the “VMware Authorization Service is Not Running” error, try the following steps to resolve the issue:

Step 1: Open the Services screen on your Windows operating system. You can do this by pressing the Windows key + R, typing “services.msc” in the Run box, and hitting Enter.

Step 2: Locate the VMware Authorization Service in the list of services. Right-click on it and select Properties.

Step 3: In the Properties window, go to the General tab and ensure that the Startup type is set to “Automatic.” If it is not, change it to Automatic and click Apply.

Step 4: Restart your computer and check if the error persists. If it does, try re-registering the VMware Authorization Service by opening the Command Prompt as an administrator and executing the command: “C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation\vmware-authd.exe” –r

By following these troubleshooting methods, you should be able to fix the “VMware Authorization Service is Not Running” error and resume using VMware without any problems.

When facing issues with the VMware authorization service, try restarting the service as it often resolves the problem.

Methods to Start the VMware Authorization Service

  • Restart the VMware Authorization Service: One of the first steps you can take is to restart the VMware Authorization Service. This can be done by opening the “Services” application, locating the VMware Authorization Service, right-clicking on it, and selecting “Restart.”
  • Check the VMware Authorization Service status: Another method is to check the status of the VMware Authorization Service. Open the “Services” application, find the VMware Authorization Service, and ensure that its status is set to “Running.” If it is not, right-click on it and select “Start.”
    Restart the VMware Authorization Service: One of the first steps you can take is to restart the VMware Authorization Service. This can be done by opening the "Services" application, locating the VMware Authorization Service, right-clicking on it, and selecting "Restart."
Check the VMware Authorization Service status: Another method is to check the status of the VMware Authorization Service. Open the "Services" application, find the VMware Authorization Service, and ensure that its status is set
  • Run VMware as an Administrator: Sometimes, running VMware as an administrator can help resolve the authorization service issue. Right-click on the VMware application icon, choose “Run as administrator,” and check if the service starts running properly.
  • Repair VMware installation: If the authorization service still fails to start, you may need to repair your VMware installation. Go to the Control Panel, select “Programs and Features,” locate VMware, right-click on it, and choose “Repair.”
  • Update VMware: Keeping your VMware software up to date can also fix various issues, including problems with the authorization service. Check for updates by opening the VMware application, going to the Help menu, and selecting “Software Updates” or “Check for Updates.”

Running VMware Workstation with Administrative Privileges

To solve the issue of VMware Authorization Service not running, you can try running VMware Workstation with administrative privileges. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Close VMware Workstation and any virtual machines that may be running.

Step 2: Right-click on the VMware Workstation shortcut and select “Run as administrator.”

Step 3: If prompted, enter the administrator credentials to continue.

Step 4: Once VMware Workstation opens, check if the VMware Authorization Service is running. To do this, go to the “Services” screen by pressing Windows key + R, typing “services.msc,” and hitting Enter. Look for the “VMware Authorization Service” in the list and ensure it is running.

By running VMware Workstation with administrative privileges, you can resolve the issue of VMware Authorization Service not running. This workaround can help you continue using VMware Workstation without interruption.

Ensure that you have the necessary administrative privileges to access and modify the VMware authorization service settings.

python
import win32serviceutil

# Replace "VMware Authorization Service" with the actual service name
service_name = "VMware Authorization Service"

try:
# Restart the service
win32serviceutil.RestartService(service_name)
print(f"The {service_name} has been restarted successfully.")
except Exception as e:
print(f"An error occurred while restarting the service: {str(e)}")

Remember to install the `pywin32` library using `pip` before running the code (`pip install pywin32`). Keep in mind that this code only demonstrates how to restart a Windows service using Python, and it may not directly resolve the VMware Authorization Service issue.

It’s always recommended to consult official documentation or seek assistance from VMware support or the relevant community forums for precise guidance tailored to your specific situation.

Repairing the VMware Workstation Installation

To repair the VMware Workstation installation and resolve the “VMware Authorization Service Not Running” issue, follow these steps:

1. Close VMware Workstation and any virtual machines.
2. Press the Windows key + R, type “services.msc”, and hit Enter.
3. In the Services screen, locate the “VMware Authorization Service”.
4. Right-click on it and select “Stop” to stop the service.
5. Open File Explorer and navigate to the VMware Workstation installation directory.
6. Delete the “vmware” and “vmware-vmx” directories.
7. Press the Windows key + R again, type “msconfig”, and hit Enter.
8. In the System Configuration window, go to the “Services” tab.
9. Check the box next to “Hide all Microsoft services” and click “Disable all”.
10. Click “Apply” and “OK” to save the changes.
11. Restart your computer.
12. After the restart, open File Explorer and navigate to the temporary files directory (%temp%).
13. Delete any VMware-related temporary files.
14. Reinstall VMware Workstation from the official website or use the installer if you have it.
15. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
16. Launch VMware Workstation and check if the issue is resolved.

By following these repair strategies, you should be able to resolve the “VMware Authorization Service Not Running” error and get your VMware Workstation up and running again.

Additional Support for VMware Issues

Additional Support for VMware Issues
Title How to Solve VMware Authorization Service Not Running
Issue VMware Authorization Service not running
Possible causes
  • Corrupted VMware services
  • Incorrectly installed VMware software
    Corrupted VMware services
Incorrectly installed VMware software
  • Conflicting third-party applications
Possible solutions
  1. Restart VMware Authorization Service
  2. Reinstall VMware software
    Restart VMware Authorization Service
Reinstall VMware software
  3. Disable conflicting third-party applications
  4. Check for Windows updates
  5. Run VMware as administrator
Additional resources
  • VMware support forums
  • VMware Knowledge Base articles
    VMware support forums
VMware Knowledge Base articles
  • VMware community blogs
Website | + posts

Mark Ginter is a tech blogger with a passion for all things gadgets and gizmos. A self-proclaimed "geek", Mark has been blogging about technology for over 15 years. His blog, techquack.com, covers a wide range of topics including new product releases, industry news, and tips and tricks for getting the most out of your devices. If you're looking for someone who can keep you up-to-date with all the latest tech news and developments, then be sure to follow him over at Microsoft.