When trying to connect to a VDI using VMWare Horizon Client, we have noticed that the app sometimes freezes, after or before authentication and is stuck at the connecting stage. In this post, we will talk about this issue and see what you can do if the VMWare Horizon Client is freezing or is stuck connecting.
Fix VMWare Horizon Client Freezing or Stuck at connecting
If the VMWare Horizon Client is freezing or stuck at connecting on Windows 11/10, execute the solutions mentioned below:
- Check the Network connectivity
- Restart Horizon Client
- Check Horizon server status
- Clear Client Cache
- Repair Horizon Client
- Reinstall Horizon Client
- Contact support
Let’s get started with our troubleshooting.
1] Check the Network connectivity
VMWare Horizon Client relies heavily on the Internet as it requires a stable and fast-working network to create and establish connections with virtual desktops or apps hosted on VMWare Horizon servers. Any disruption in network connectivity can not only lead to abrupt freezing or connection issues.
There are various ways to fix the issue concerning the Internet including rebooting the router, using a free Internet speed tester to check the bandwidth, switching to a different connection, and lastly, contacting the ISP when nothing seems to be working.
2] Restart Horizon client
If you have ruled out network issues, then execute a simple reboot as this step can sometimes miraculously solve this type of issue. This is recommended because it resets the state of the device, clears out the cache, and establishes a new connection. Simply restart the device, relaunch the app, and check if it is still freezing or getting stuck. To restart your VDI, open Horizon Client, click on the three dots, and select Restart Desktop. If restarting the VDI is to no avail, close the Horizon Client app on the Host computer from the Task Manager and then start it again. If all else fails, you need to reboot the Host computer.
3] Check Horizon server status
If you encounter problems with the VMWare Horizon Client, and it is not due to routine glitches or internet issues, it is advisable to check the server status of the Horizon Client. For that, you can go to status.vmware-services.io and check the status of the VMWare cloud. To check that of your VDI, you need to contact your IT admin. The Horizon server may be experiencing issues or downtime that could prevent users from establishing a connection. In such a situation, it is best to wait for the technicians to acknowledge the issue and resolve it.
4] Clear Client Cache
Clearing the client cache is one of the troubleshooting steps when facing the issue at hand because it removes any corrupted or outdated data. Cache files are notorious for getting corrupted occasionally, so this can be the case.
To clear client cache,
- Close the VMWare Horizon Client app completely, and then type Win+R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type %appdata%, hit Enter, and then navigate to the VMWare folder.
- Locate and delete the VMWare Horizon Client or VMWare VDM folder.
- Now, go to the Recycle Bin or Trash to remove the cached files, and then relaunch the app.
Once launched successfully, reconnect to the VMWare Horizon server. Hopefully, the issue should be resolved.
5] Repair Horizont Client
VMWare allows users to repair the Horizon client in case the client installation gets corrupted. This can happen for various reasons such as incomplete updates, conflicts with other software, or system errors. To do so, either double-click the Horizon Client installer and select repair or use the command prompt and run the following command:
VMware-Horizon-Client-y.y.y-abcd.exe /repair
Note: y.y.y is the version number and abcd is the build number.
Once done, check if the issue is resolved or not. If not, move on to the next solution.
6] Reinstall Horizon Client
One of the plausible explanations behind this error can be corrupted installation files or configuration issues that can be only solved by reinstalling the VMWare Horizon Client.
To reinstall it:
- Open the Control Panel, navigate to Programs or Programs and Features, and locate VMWare Horizon Client.
- Now click the Uninstall button, and follow the prompts to complete the process.
- Once done, visit customerconnect.vmware.com, choose the appropriate version, and download the Installer files.
- After downloading is complete, run it to start the installation process, and follow the on-screen instructions.
- After installation, launch the app, and enter the necessary connection details.
Check the connection to ensure that the issue has been resolved.
7] Contact support
Last but not least, reach out to VMWare support if none of the above-mentioned solutions can resolve the issue. They will assist in troubleshooting and resolving server-related issues.
That’s it!
Read: How to convert Virtual Machine to Physical Machine?
Why does the VMware Horizon client keep crashing?
VMWare Horizon Client may crash due to various reasons like system resource issues, software conflicts, or network connectivity problems. Insufficient system resources or outdated graphics drivers can cause the VMWare Horizon Client to crash. Troubleshooting steps include updating software/driver, optimizing system resources, and checking network connectivity.
Read: How to convert VMware to Hyper-V
How do I update my Horizon Client?
It is pretty easy to update the Horizon Client, just launch the app with administrative rights, and then Click options from the menu bar. Now, select the Software Updates option, and then click the Check for Updates option to check for any new updates. If there is a new update, click the Download and Install buttons. Restart the VMWare Horizon Client for the changes to take effect.
Also Read: VMWare Horizon Client not opening.
