Fix VMware Workstation Display Too Small On Fedora

Are you experiencing the frustrating issue of VMware Workstation display being too small on your Fedora virtual machine? You're not alone. Many users encounter this problem, especially with newer versions of Fedora, VMware Workstation, and GNOME. This comprehensive guide will delve into the causes of this issue and provide a range of solutions to help you achieve the optimal display size within your virtual environment. We'll explore various methods, from adjusting VMware settings to tweaking GNOME configurations, ensuring a smooth and productive virtual machine experience. Whether you're a seasoned user or new to virtualization, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to resolve this common display problem and maximize your workspace.

Understanding the Root Cause

The display size issue in VMware Workstation often stems from a combination of factors. These factors include the interaction between the host operating system (your Fedora installation), the guest operating system (the virtualized Fedora), VMware Workstation's settings, and the display drivers. High-resolution displays, common in modern laptops and desktops, can exacerbate the problem. When the guest operating system doesn't properly scale to the host's display, elements within the virtual machine, such as text, icons, and the overall desktop environment, can appear excessively small.

Another crucial aspect is the role of VMware Tools. These utilities are designed to enhance the performance and usability of virtual machines, including improving display handling. However, even with VMware Tools installed, conflicts or misconfigurations can sometimes lead to scaling issues. Furthermore, the specific version of GNOME (the desktop environment used in Fedora) and its settings can influence how the display is rendered within the virtual machine. We will explore these aspects in detail.

Diagnosing the Problem

Before diving into solutions, it's essential to diagnose the specific cause of the small display in your VMware Workstation. Consider these questions:

• Is this a new issue, or has it always been present?
• Did the problem start after an upgrade of Fedora, VMware Workstation, or GNOME?
• Is VMware Tools installed in the guest operating system?
• What is the resolution of your host display?
• What is the configured resolution of the virtual machine?
• Does the issue persist regardless of the application running within the VM?

By answering these questions, you can narrow down the potential causes and apply the most appropriate solutions. In the following sections, we'll explore several troubleshooting steps and techniques to address this display issue.

Solutions to Fix Small Display in VMware Workstation on Fedora

1. Adjusting VMware Workstation Settings

One of the first places to look for a solution is within VMware Workstation's settings. VMware provides several options that directly impact the display resolution and scaling of the virtual machine. Incorrect settings here can lead to the display appearing too small, especially on high-resolution screens. This section will guide you through the relevant settings and how to adjust them for optimal display within your Fedora guest.

First, ensure that the virtual machine is powered off. This is important because some display settings cannot be changed while the virtual machine is running. Next, right-click on the virtual machine in the VMware Workstation library and select "Settings". This will open the Virtual Machine Settings dialog, where you can configure various aspects of the virtual machine, including its display.

Within the settings dialog, navigate to the "Display" section. Here, you will find options related to the virtual machine's display resolution and monitor configuration. The most crucial setting to check is the "Specify monitor settings". If this option is enabled, you can manually set the resolution of the virtual machine's display. While this can be useful in some situations, it can also lead to display issues if not configured correctly. If the resolution set here is lower than your host display's resolution, the guest display will likely appear small.

Try setting this option to "Autodetect monitor settings". This allows VMware Workstation to automatically detect the optimal resolution based on your host display. This is often the best option for most users, as it ensures that the guest display scales appropriately to the host. Another related setting is the "Use host setting for monitors". Enabling this option further ensures that the virtual machine uses the display settings of the host machine.

Additionally, check the "Accelerate 3D graphics" setting. While this option improves the performance of graphics-intensive applications within the virtual machine, it can sometimes cause display issues if the virtual machine's graphics drivers are not fully compatible with the host's graphics card. If you suspect this is the case, try disabling this option temporarily to see if it resolves the display problem. If it does, you may need to update your host's graphics drivers or adjust other settings related to graphics acceleration.

After making these adjustments, power on the virtual machine and see if the display size has improved. If the issue persists, move on to the next troubleshooting steps. These steps address potential issues within the guest operating system itself.

2. Installing or Reinstalling VMware Tools

VMware Tools is a suite of utilities designed to improve the performance and management of virtual machines. One of its crucial functions is optimizing the display within the virtual guest. If the display in your Fedora virtual machine is too small, installing or reinstalling VMware Tools can often resolve the issue. VMware Tools ensures proper communication between the host and guest operating systems, leading to better display scaling and overall performance.

The process of installing VMware Tools is relatively straightforward. First, power on your Fedora virtual machine. Once the operating system has fully booted, navigate to the VMware Workstation menu and select "VM" -> "Install VMware Tools". This will mount a virtual CD-ROM drive containing the VMware Tools installer within the virtual machine.

In most cases, Fedora will automatically detect the mounted CD-ROM and prompt you to run the installer. If not, you may need to manually open the file manager and navigate to the CD-ROM drive. The installer package will typically be a .tar.gz file. Extract the contents of this file to a temporary directory.

Open a terminal window, navigate to the extracted directory, and run the vmware-install.pl script as the root user. This script will guide you through the installation process. It's generally safe to accept the default options during the installation. The script may ask you questions about various settings, such as where to install the VMware Tools files and whether to enable certain features. If you're unsure, the default answers are usually the best choice.

During the installation, the script will compile and install the necessary drivers and utilities. This process may take a few minutes. Once the installation is complete, it's essential to reboot the virtual machine. This allows the new drivers and utilities to load properly and take effect.

If VMware Tools is already installed and you're still experiencing display issues, reinstalling it can sometimes fix the problem. This can help resolve any conflicts or corruption that may have occurred within the VMware Tools installation. The process for reinstalling VMware Tools is similar to installing it for the first time. Simply follow the same steps outlined above. The installer will detect the existing installation and prompt you to uninstall it before proceeding with the new installation.

After reinstalling VMware Tools and rebooting the virtual machine, check if the display size has improved. If the issue persists, it may be necessary to adjust settings within the guest operating system itself. The following sections will cover how to adjust display settings within Fedora and GNOME to further optimize the display within the virtual machine.

3. Adjusting Display Settings in Fedora and GNOME

The Fedora operating system, with its default GNOME desktop environment, provides several ways to adjust display settings. These settings can be crucial in resolving the small display issue within a VMware Workstation virtual machine. Often, the default settings may not be optimal for a virtualized environment, especially on high-resolution host displays. Adjusting these settings allows you to control the resolution, scaling, and orientation of the display within the guest operating system.

To access the display settings in Fedora, click on the Activities menu (usually in the top-left corner of the screen) and search for "Settings". In the Settings window, select "Display" from the left-hand menu. This will open the Display settings panel, where you can configure various aspects of the display.

The most important setting to adjust is the "Resolution". This determines the number of pixels displayed on the screen. If the resolution is set too low, the display will appear small and pixelated. Conversely, if it's set too high, elements may appear too small to read comfortably. Experiment with different resolutions until you find one that provides a comfortable balance between size and clarity. Ideally, the resolution should be close to the resolution of your host display.

Another crucial setting is "Scale". This setting controls the scaling factor applied to the display. A scaling factor of 100% means that elements are displayed at their default size. A scaling factor of 200% doubles the size of elements, making them easier to see on high-resolution displays. GNOME often automatically detects the optimal scaling factor based on your display's resolution and pixel density. However, you can manually adjust this setting if the automatic scaling isn't working correctly.

If elements in your virtual machine are appearing too small, try increasing the scaling factor. This will effectively zoom in on the display, making everything larger and more readable. Be aware that increasing the scaling factor can also reduce the amount of content that fits on the screen at once. It's a trade-off between size and screen real estate.

In addition to resolution and scaling, you can also adjust other display settings, such as the orientation (landscape or portrait) and the refresh rate. These settings are less likely to directly impact the small display issue, but they can be worth exploring if you're experiencing other display-related problems.

After making changes to the display settings, it's essential to test the changes to ensure they have the desired effect. Try opening different applications and using the virtual machine as you normally would. If the display still appears too small, try a different combination of resolution and scaling settings. You may also need to log out and back in for the changes to fully take effect. In some cases, a reboot of the virtual machine may be necessary.

4. GNOME Tweaks and Font Scaling

For more granular control over the display in your Fedora virtual machine, consider using GNOME Tweaks. This utility provides access to advanced settings that are not available in the standard GNOME Settings panel. One particularly useful feature is the ability to adjust font scaling, which can be helpful if text is appearing too small, even with adjusted display scaling.

If you don't have GNOME Tweaks installed, you can install it using the following command in a terminal:

sudo dnf install gnome-tweaks

Once GNOME Tweaks is installed, you can launch it by searching for "Tweaks" in the Activities menu. In the GNOME Tweaks window, select the "Fonts" section. Here, you'll find several settings related to fonts, including the "Scaling Factor". This setting allows you to adjust the size of fonts independently of the overall display scaling.

Increasing the font scaling factor will make text larger and more readable. This can be especially helpful if you find that other elements in the virtual machine display are an acceptable size, but text is still too small. Experiment with different font scaling factors until you find one that makes text comfortable to read.

In addition to font scaling, GNOME Tweaks also provides other display-related settings. In the "Windows" section, you can adjust settings related to window scaling and titlebar buttons. These settings are less likely to directly address the small display issue, but they can help you customize the overall appearance and behavior of the virtual machine's desktop.

Another useful feature in GNOME Tweaks is the ability to disable fractional scaling. Fractional scaling allows you to set scaling factors that are not whole numbers (e.g., 125% or 150%). While fractional scaling can be useful in some situations, it can also lead to display artifacts or performance issues. If you're experiencing problems with display quality in your virtual machine, try disabling fractional scaling to see if it helps.

To disable fractional scaling, run the following command in a terminal:

gsettings set org.gnome.mutter experimental-features "['x11-randr-fractional-scaling']"

After running this command, log out and back in for the changes to take effect.

5. Checking and Updating Graphics Drivers

Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can often lead to display issues within a virtual machine. This is because the virtual machine relies on the host operating system's graphics drivers to render the display. If the host drivers are not properly communicating with the virtual machine's graphics drivers, the display may not be scaled correctly, leading to the small display problem.

The first step in troubleshooting graphics driver issues is to check the graphics drivers on both the host and guest operating systems. On the host operating system (your Fedora installation), you can check the graphics drivers using the following command in a terminal:

lspci -k | grep -EA3 'VGA|3D|Display'

This command will display information about your graphics card and the drivers that are currently in use. Make a note of the driver version.

Next, check the graphics drivers within the guest operating system (the virtualized Fedora). If VMware Tools is installed, it should have installed virtual graphics drivers that are optimized for use within a virtual machine. However, it's still worth checking to ensure that the drivers are installed correctly and are up to date. You can use a similar command in the guest operating system to check the graphics drivers:

lspci -k | grep -EA3 'VGA|3D|Display'

If the driver version on the host and guest operating systems are significantly different, it may be a sign that there is a driver incompatibility issue. In this case, updating the graphics drivers on the host operating system may resolve the problem.

The process for updating graphics drivers varies depending on your graphics card manufacturer (Nvidia, AMD, or Intel). However, the general steps are as follows:

1. Identify your graphics card model.
2. Visit the graphics card manufacturer's website.
3. Download the latest drivers for your graphics card and operating system.
4. Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer to install the drivers.

After updating the graphics drivers on the host operating system, reboot your computer. Then, restart the virtual machine and check if the display issue has been resolved.

In some cases, you may also need to update the graphics drivers within the guest operating system. This is less common, but it can be necessary if you are experiencing other graphics-related issues within the virtual machine. The process for updating graphics drivers in the guest operating system is similar to the process for updating them on the host operating system. However, you will need to download the drivers from the VMware website, as the virtual machine's graphics drivers are provided by VMware Tools.

6. Modifying the GRUB Configuration (for Advanced Users)

For advanced users, modifying the GRUB configuration can provide a more persistent solution to the small display issue in VMware Workstation. GRUB (GRand Unified Bootloader) is the boot loader used by Fedora and many other Linux distributions. It controls how the operating system boots and can be configured to pass parameters to the kernel, including display-related parameters.

By modifying the GRUB configuration, you can force the virtual machine to use a specific resolution or scaling factor at boot time. This can be helpful if the standard methods for adjusting display settings are not working correctly, or if you want to ensure that the display settings are always consistent across reboots.

Warning: Modifying the GRUB configuration is an advanced task that can potentially prevent your system from booting if done incorrectly. It's crucial to proceed with caution and to have a backup plan in case something goes wrong. If you're not comfortable with command-line operations and system configuration, it's best to avoid this method.

The first step in modifying the GRUB configuration is to edit the /etc/default/grub file. This file contains the GRUB configuration settings. You will need to use a text editor with root privileges to edit this file. You can use a command like sudo nano /etc/default/grub to open the file in the Nano text editor.

Within the /etc/default/grub file, look for the line that starts with GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX. This line contains the kernel command-line parameters. You can add display-related parameters to this line to control the virtual machine's display resolution and scaling.

Some common parameters that you can use include:

• video=virtiogpu.fb_width:<width>: Specifies the width of the framebuffer in pixels.
• video=virtiogpu.fb_height:<height>: Specifies the height of the framebuffer in pixels.
• video=virtiogpu.fb_vmode:<refresh_rate>: Specifies the refresh rate of the display in Hz.

For example, to set the resolution to 1920x1080 and the refresh rate to 60Hz, you would add the following parameters to the GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX line:

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="... video=virtiogpu.fb_width:1920 video=virtiogpu.fb_height:1080 video=virtiogpu.fb_vmode:60 ..."

Replace the ... with any existing kernel parameters that are already in the line.

After making changes to the /etc/default/grub file, you need to update the GRUB configuration. This is done by running the following command in a terminal:

sudo grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg

This command will regenerate the GRUB configuration file based on the settings in /etc/default/grub. After running this command, reboot the virtual machine for the changes to take effect.

If the display still appears too small after modifying the GRUB configuration, you may need to experiment with different resolutions and refresh rates. You can also try other kernel parameters that may be relevant to your specific graphics card and virtual machine configuration.

Conclusion

Resolving the VMware Workstation display too small issue on Fedora requires a systematic approach. By understanding the potential causes, such as resolution mismatches, scaling problems, and driver incompatibilities, you can effectively troubleshoot and implement the appropriate solutions. From adjusting VMware Workstation settings and reinstalling VMware Tools to tweaking Fedora and GNOME display configurations, this guide has provided a comprehensive set of techniques to optimize your virtual machine's display. Remember to test each solution and adjust the settings as needed to achieve the best possible visual experience within your virtual environment. With the right configuration, you can ensure a productive and comfortable working environment within your Fedora virtual machine.

Why is my VMware display so small?

• The issue is usually caused by a mismatch in resolution or scaling between the host and guest operating systems. Outdated graphics drivers or improper VMware Tools installation can also contribute.

How do I fix a small screen in VMware?

• Try adjusting display settings in VMware Workstation, reinstalling VMware Tools, and configuring display settings within the guest operating system (Fedora and GNOME).

How do I make VMware full screen on Linux?

• Ensure "Autodetect monitor settings" is enabled in VMware Workstation settings. Also, check the display resolution and scaling settings within Fedora and GNOME.

Why is my virtual machine screen so small?

• This often happens due to incorrect resolution settings within the virtual machine's operating system or VMware Workstation. Check VMware Tools installation and update graphics drivers.

How do I change the resolution in VMware Workstation?

• You can adjust the resolution in VMware Workstation settings under the "Display" section or through the display settings within the guest operating system (Fedora and GNOME).

Does VMware Tools fix display issues?

• Yes, VMware Tools optimizes display settings and communication between the host and guest OS. Reinstalling it can resolve many display-related problems.

How can I improve the display quality in my virtual machine?

• Update graphics drivers on the host OS, ensure VMware Tools is properly installed, and adjust the resolution and scaling settings within the guest OS.

What is GNOME Tweaks and how does it help with display issues?

• GNOME Tweaks is a utility that provides advanced settings for GNOME, including font scaling and fractional scaling options, which can help improve display in virtual machines.

Can GRUB configuration fix display problems in VMware?

• Yes, for advanced users, modifying the GRUB configuration to set specific resolutions can provide a persistent solution, but it should be done with caution.

What should I do if none of the solutions work?

• Verify compatibility between VMware Workstation, Fedora, and your host hardware. Seek support from VMware forums or Fedora communities for further assistance.