VMware ESXi and vSphere Cluster Management

Change a Virtual Machine MAC Address in VMware Workstation Player

Learn how to view, generate, manually set, apply, and verify a VMware Workstation Player virtual machine MAC address, including DHCP reservation and troubleshooting guidance.

A MAC address identifies a network interface on the local Ethernet network. VMware Workstation Player assigns a MAC address to each virtual network adapter, but you can generate a replacement or enter an administrator-approved address when required for DHCP reservations, access-control testing, or other network operations.

MAC Address Fundamentals

A MAC address is a 48-bit link-layer identifier used for local Ethernet communication. It is normally written as 12 hexadecimal characters. Hexadecimal, or base 16, uses the digits 0-9 and letters A-F.

Common representations include 00:50:56:12:34:56 and 00-50-56-12-34-56. The separators are only formatting; the underlying 48-bit value is the same.

The leading portion is commonly called an OUI, or vendor prefix. It identifies an organizational allocation, while the remaining portion distinguishes an interface within that allocation. VMware virtual adapters commonly use VMware-associated prefixes, although the exact address depends on the adapter and VMware's assignment process.

A MAC address is not the same as an IP address, hostname, or the physical network adapter in the host computer. The MAC belongs to a local network interface; the IP address is assigned separately at the network layer; the hostname is a device name; and the host's physical NIC has its own MAC address.

Item	Purpose	Example or identifying characteristic
MAC address	Identifies an interface for local Ethernet delivery.	12 hexadecimal characters such as `00:50:56:12:34:56`.
VMware virtual network adapter	Provides a virtual NIC to the guest operating system.	Each configured adapter has its own MAC address.
IP address	Provides network-layer addressing and routing.	May change when DHCP assigns a new lease.
DHCP reservation	Maps a particular MAC address to a preferred IP address.	Router rule such as selected MAC -> `192.168.1.50`.
Physical Address field	Windows label for an adapter's MAC address.	Displayed by `ipconfig /all`.

How Workstation Player Assigns MAC Addresses

VMware Workstation Player automatically assigns an Ethernet MAC address to each virtual network adapter. A VM with multiple configured adapters therefore has multiple MAC addresses. Changing the setting for one adapter changes only that selected adapter; it does not change every adapter in the VM.

Before editing, identify the correct virtual machine and adapter. Note whether the adapter is connected through bridged, NAT, or host-only networking, and record the current MAC address. Also record any DHCP reservation, MAC allowlist, monitoring rule, licensing dependency, or other network policy associated with it.

Preparation and VM State Requirements

The VM must not be in a suspended state. A suspended VM has paused execution saved for later resumption.
If the VM is suspended, resume it and shut it down cleanly, or otherwise make sure it is no longer suspended before changing the setting.
Depending on the Player version and available interface, the hardware settings may be accessible while the VM is powered on or powered off. For applying the new virtual hardware identity, plan to power the guest off completely and start it again.
Confirm the target adapter before changing anything, especially if the VM has more than one network adapter.

Change the MAC Address in VMware Workstation Player

The labels can vary slightly between Player versions, but the usual path is:

Open VMware Workstation Player and select the intended virtual machine.
Open Player > Manage Virtual Machine Settings.
Select Network Adapter for the adapter you want to edit.
Open Advanced settings.
Choose whether to generate a new address or enter one manually.

Generate a new address

Use Generate when you need a replacement address but do not need a particular externally assigned value. This is the safer default because it reduces the chance of accidentally colliding with another device.

In the adapter's Advanced settings, select Generate.
Review the newly displayed MAC address.
Apply or save the hardware settings.

Enter an address manually

Manual entry is appropriate only when a network administrator has supplied a valid, unique address or when a controlled test requires a specific identity. Enter the address in the format accepted by Player, using valid hexadecimal characters and the required separators.

Do not choose an address merely because it looks plausible. Confirm that it is approved, unique on the relevant network, and compatible with any router reservation, access-control policy, or lab design. A manually selected address must not already belong to another active VM, physical computer, printer, router, or other device on the same local network.

Address change options

Option	When to use it	Benefit	Risk or consideration
Generate a new address	No fixed address is required.	Usually the safest way to obtain a replacement identity.	Existing DHCP reservations and allowlists may no longer match.
Enter a MAC address manually	An administrator supplied a value or a controlled test requires one.	Supports a known DHCP reservation or policy test.	Duplicate or unauthorized addresses can disrupt networking.
Retain the existing address	No identity change is needed.	Preserves existing reservations and network policy associations.	Does not solve a requirement for a different MAC address.

Apply the New Virtual Hardware Identity

After saving the setting, power the guest off completely and then power it back on. This allows the virtual adapter to initialize with the new address.

A guest restart or a simple network disconnect and reconnect may not always demonstrate that the virtual hardware setting has been reapplied. A full power-off and subsequent startup is the reliable procedure for this change.

When the MAC identity changes, the guest may receive a different DHCP lease. The old lease can remain associated with the previous client identity until it is renewed, expires, or the DHCP server processes the new identity.

Verify the MAC Address in the Guest

Windows guest

Start the VM, open Command Prompt, and run:

ipconfig /all

Find the Ethernet adapter corresponding to the VMware adapter you changed. Read its Physical Address field and compare it with the address shown in Player. Do not confuse it with the IPv4 Address, IPv6 Address, Default Gateway, or DNS entries displayed in the same output.

If the VM has several adapters, use the adapter description, connection status, and IP configuration to identify the correct one.

Linux guest

Use either of these commands:

ip link show
ip addr

Look for the interface's link-layer address, often shown after link/ether. Match that value with the MAC configured for the selected VMware adapter.

Guest operating system	Command	Value to check
Windows	`ipconfig /all`	Physical Address under the correct Ethernet adapter.
Linux	`ip link show`	The interface address following `link/ether`.
Linux alternative	`ip addr`	The interface's link-layer address and separate IP configuration.

MAC Verification Is Not IP Connectivity Verification

Matching the MAC address confirms that the guest sees the expected virtual adapter identity. It does not prove that the VM can reach the network. Separately check whether the guest has a valid IP address, subnet mask or prefix, default gateway, DNS configuration, and route to the intended network.

Use a MAC Address with a DHCP Reservation

DHCP automatically supplies IP configuration to clients. A DHCP reservation maps a particular client MAC address to a preferred IP address, allowing a VM to receive a predictable address.

In the router or DHCP server, create or identify a reservation mapping the required MAC address to the desired IP address.
In Player, select the intended Network Adapter and open its Advanced settings.
Generate the address or enter the exact reserved MAC address manually.
Save the setting, power the VM off completely, and start it again.
Allow the guest to obtain a DHCP lease. If necessary, renew the lease using the guest operating system's normal DHCP tools.
Verify both values: confirm the MAC with ipconfig /all, ip link show, or ip addr, and confirm that the assigned IP matches the reservation.

An existing reservation tied to the old MAC address will not normally apply after the address changes. DHCP behavior can vary while an old lease remains active, so the expected result may not appear until the lease is renewed, expires, or the DHCP server processes the new client identity.

Safety and Operational Cautions

Never duplicate a MAC address among active devices on the same Layer 2 network.
Duplicate addresses can cause intermittent connectivity, ARP instability, DHCP conflicts, and frames being delivered to the wrong device.
Use addresses approved by the network administrator on managed or enterprise networks.
A MAC change can affect DHCP reservations, MAC-based allowlists, access-control systems, monitoring, licensing systems, and network security policies.
Keep experiments involving duplicate identities isolated from production networking.

Practical Example: Generate a Replacement MAC

Shut down the VM, or resume it first if it is suspended and then shut it down.
Open Player > Manage Virtual Machine Settings.
Select the intended Network Adapter, then open Advanced.
Choose Generate and save the new setting.
Power the VM off completely if it is not already off, then start it again.
In a Windows guest, run ipconfig /all and compare the correct adapter's Physical Address with the value in Player.

Common Problems After a MAC Change

Symptom	Likely cause	Corrective action
Old IP reservation no longer works	The reservation is still tied to the previous MAC address.	Update or recreate the reservation using the current MAC, then restart or renew DHCP.
No network connectivity	The adapter is disconnected, attached to an unexpected network, DHCP failed, or a policy still expects the old MAC.	Check that the adapter is enabled and connected, verify its networking mode and IP settings, and update applicable policies.
Unexpected MAC still appears in the guest	The wrong adapter was edited, the VM was not fully powered off, or a different guest interface was inspected.	Confirm the adapter selected in Player, power off and restart the VM, and identify the correct guest interface.
Intermittent connectivity or address conflict	Another active device uses the same manually assigned MAC, or network security controls reject it.	Restore a unique generated address, isolate the test VM, disconnect the conflict, or consult the network administrator.

Quick Checklist

Identify the VM and the exact virtual network adapter.
Record the old MAC and related reservations or policies.
Ensure the VM is not suspended.
Open the adapter's Advanced settings.
Generate a new address unless a specific approved value is required.
Power the VM off and back on.
Verify the MAC in the guest's adapter output.
Check DHCP reservations and IP connectivity separately.
Confirm that no other active device uses the same MAC.

For related guidance, see changing the MAC address of a virtual machine.