[Pre-Install] VMWare Workstation 17 Pro Kunbuntu 25.10 Issue

[mheaton58]

Im able to perform the initial install setup and when I run the first boot of the Kubuntu 25.10 OS, in VMWare, it prompts me to log in and the screen goes blank\black. From the VMWare logs, its has as the last entry..

2025-10-11T00:11:58.907Z In(05) vmx Vix: [guestCommands.c:1943]: Error VIX_E_TOOLS_NOT_RUNNING in VMAutomationTranslateGuestRpcError(): VMware Tools are not running in the guest

I assume this the issue. Im a NOOB at this. But Im trying to figure out how I would be able to install "open-vm-tools" during the initial run before getting the error? Im currently running 25.04 with no issues and I wanted to test 25.10 first before making the leap. So Im stuck.

thanks

[Seiichi Horie]

I have the same problem here.

• Host OS: Windows 11
• Guest OS: Kubuntu 25.10
• VMware Workstation Pro 17.6.4 build-24832109

The installation of Kubuntu 25.10 seems to be OK. After rebooting, I can see the log on the screen. But when I log on, the screen gets black and doesn't come back.

[claydoh]

Have you tried different options for the emulated graphics? It is usually necessary to enable 3d-acceleration.

I am not familiar with VMWare, but you might need to switch to a TTY and install the x11 session there (as well as the open-vm-tools while you are there) using apt, or try pulling up krunner on the black desktop (alt-f2 or alt-space) and using that (if it pops up) to open desktop applications and tools.

The live installer uses a generic video session, and SDDM does run in a separate session as well, than what the user logs into. So VMWare may need the graphics settings adjusted, or plain doesn't like Wayland.

[Seiichi Horie]

Thanks, claydoh.

Thank you for your comment.

Regarding your advice:

• VMware Workstation v17.5 enables 3D acceleration by default. So, I left it default, just as I did in Kubuntu 25.04.
• In the black screen after log-in, neither Alt-F2 nor Alt-Space responds.

I did some trial and comparison. Please find the result in the following table:

	log-in screen	Ctl-Alt-F3 at the log-in screen	after log-in	Ctr-Alt-F3 after login
Kubuntu 25.04 Wayland	Fine	CLI screen	Fine	CLI screen
Kubuntu 25.10 Live CD	-	-	Fine	CLI screen
Kubuntu 25.10 normal install	Fine	Black out	Black out	Black out
Kubuntu 25.10 full install	Fine	Black out	Black out	Black out
Ubuntu 25.10	Fine	CLI screen	Fine	CLI screen

For me, this seems to be a specific problem of the VMware / Kubuntu combination.

[sensiclaudio]

I remember that in Kubuntu 25.10 Snapshot 4 Wayland worked, but after updating it, it stopped working in VMware.
After that, it no longer worked in the Daily and final versions.

[mheaton58]

Update: Its was suggested to interrupt the boot process to enter the recovery mode and terminal. I then attempted the following steps.

• sudo apt update
• sudo apt install open-vm-tools-desktop

and was recommended to run

• sudo apt install openssh-server
• sudo systemctl enable sshd

rebooted the VM session reached the login screen which resulted in the black screen of death.

Im done.... I believe this is a VMWare Kernel issue where it does not support anything above linux 6.x kernel 64bit as an option. Im a NOOB so I really have no proof on this. Its just the only thing I can think of. So I'll stay with Kubuntu 25.04 until a later time. I think its too early to attempt to create a VM to test with. I will not place it on a bare metal machine at this time. I've wasted too much time on this already. Ill play with Tuxedo, Fedora KDE, and MXLinux for the time being.

[Seiichi Horie]

I have reported to the launch pad as a bug. Let's see what's happened.