Virtualbox VM can't connect to internet

Question

I have a Windows 10 machine (splits its time between Ethernet connection and Wireless connection) and want to develop in a Linux environment, so I installed VirtualBox, and made a Linux Mint VM.

However, the VM cannot connect to the Internet at all. Even a simple ping to Google times out. I've tried most everything I've come across (bridged connection, host-only adapter) without any change at all. It seems like NAT is the 'correct' option - I'd want the virtual machine to jump through my machine's Internet connection - but, as you can see, no dice with these settings.

Is there a particular thing I'm probably doing wrong here? Could the firewalls and/or the proxy server be keeping out my VM from accessing the Internet, and if so, how would I verify that?

Answer 1

It seems like NAT is the 'correct' option - I'd want the virtual machine to jump through my machine's Internet connection[.]

The VM's internet connection will always be made through the hosts. And for setup and testing, Bridged Adapter is likely the better option.

Is there a particular thing I'm probably doing wrong here?

It's difficult to say. There are port forwarding settings under the advanced NAT options. However, it the more likely culprits might be:

• An incorrectly configured VM (i.e. the OS itself).

• Your hosts firewall.

• The network your attached to blocking communication.

Or even some combination of all three.

Could the firewalls and/or the proxy server be keeping out my VM from accessing the Internet, and if so, how would I verify that?

Possibly.

You may wish to try using the host/VM on another network. If possible, you could also potentially disable any firewall (Windows or otherwise) or proxy and try testing the VM connection again.