VMware Fusion

nlel1975 · 2 Sep 2025 at 17:38

I've been running a VMware Fusion Windows 11 VM on a Mac mini M4 for a few weeks now, just browsing the forums etc. Occasionally the screen goes black for a second or two, sometimes does it twice or a few times in a row. At other times its fine.

Has anyone else experienced this?

ChrisD. · 2 Sep 2025 at 17:59

Big thread already on Fusion.

VMware Fusion Tech Preview 2023 is now live

Massive improvements: New hotness for Fusion on Apple silicon includes: DX11 3D Graphics support! Tools installer! Super-fast drag-drop/copy-paste! Auto-fit guest resolution! https://blogs.vmware.com/teamfusion/2023/07/vmware-fusion-2023-tech-preview.html

forums.overclockers.co.uk

nlel1975 · 2 Sep 2025 at 18:05

ChrisD. said:
Big thread already on Fusion.

Yeah searched that thread already but no mention of black or blank screens.

Cromulent · 2 Sep 2025 at 18:10

nlel1975 said:
Yeah searched that thread already but no mention of black or blank screens.

Are you changing the VM window size or resolution? I see some flickering if I do either of those things as the VM needs to redraw the window.

nlel1975 · 2 Sep 2025 at 18:11

Cromulent said:
Are you changing the VM window size or resolution? I see some flickering if I do either of those things as the VM needs to redraw the window.

No just browsing this forum or other sites, not changing resolution or anything.

Cromulent · 2 Sep 2025 at 18:15

nlel1975 said:
No just browsing this forum or other sites, not changing resolution or anything.

Hmm, strange. Sorry can't help you. The only other thing I can think of is have you installed the VMware Tools in Windows 11? If not it could cause issues.

nlel1975 · 2 Sep 2025 at 18:16

Cromulent said:
Hmm, strange. Sorry can't help you. The only other thing I can think of is have you installed the VMware Tools in Windows 11? If not it could cause issues.

Yeah installed VMware tools which installed drivers for graphics and Ethernet controller. Prior to that had no internet connectivity or could I change screen resolution.

nlel1975 · 22 Oct 2025 at 13:53

Well I think I've got to the bottom of this. Set my macOS refresh rate to 60hz from a variable refresh rate of 48-240hz and since doing that have had no black or blank screens whilst running Windows 11 in VMware Fusion. VMware Fusion VMs only run at 60hz anyway.

Another benefit of running macOS at 60hz is that I'm able to enable HDR whereas at any refresh rate above 60hz that option isn't available. Of course if I've spoke to soon and get another black or blank screen in my VMware Fusion Windows 11 VM I'll report back as I haven't really tested it thoroughly.