Virtual Machine Not Starting During Microsoft Applied Skills Assessment

Question

Hello, I am experiencing a recurring issue when attempting to start the virtual machine for a Microsoft Applied Skills assessment on Microsoft Learn.

When I launch the lab environment, the page displays “Please wait while connecting…”, but the connection never completes. After some time, I receive a message saying that the connection to the virtual machine was interrupted, along with a “Retry Connection” button. However, even after multiple attempts, the virtual machine never starts.

Important details:

• I am connected to the internet via wired Ethernet, with a stable connection.
• I am not using any VPN.
• I have already refreshed the page and restarted the browser.
• I tested on multiple browsers, and the issue persists.
• This problem is new — I have previously completed an Applied Skills assessment, and at that time the virtual machine started normally, even though I was only connected via Wi‑Fi (not Ethernet).
• Because of this, it does not seem to be a local network issue.

What appears on the screen (as shown in the attached image):

• The virtual machine area remains black, displaying “Please wait while connecting…”.
• After a short time, an error message appears saying the connection was interrupted, offering “Retry Connection”.
• The assessment timer continues to run, but the VM never initializes.

I would appreciate assistance in resolving this issue or guidance on how to proceed, as I am unable to continue the assessment due to this problem.

Thank you.Hello, I am experiencing a recurring issue when attempting to start the virtual machine for a Microsoft Applied Skills assessment on Microsoft Learn.

When I launch the lab environment, the page displays “Please wait while connecting…”, but the connection never completes. After some time, I receive a message saying that the connection to the virtual machine was interrupted, along with a “Retry Connection” button. However, even after multiple attempts, the virtual machine never starts.

Important details:

• I am connected to the internet via wired Ethernet, with a stable connection.
• I am not using any VPN.
• I have already refreshed the page and restarted the browser.
• I tested on multiple browsers, and the issue persists.
• This problem is new — I have previously completed an Applied Skills assessment, and at that time the virtual machine started normally, even though I was only connected via Wi‑Fi (not Ethernet).
• Because of this, it does not seem to be a local network issue.

What appears on the screen (as shown in the attached image):

• The virtual machine area remains black, displaying “Please wait while connecting…”.
• After a short time, an error message appears saying the connection was interrupted, offering “Retry Connection”.
• The assessment timer continues to run, but the VM never initializes.

I would appreciate assistance in resolving this issue or guidance on how to proceed, as I am unable to continue the assessment due to this problem.

Thank you.

Answer 1

The behavior matches a lab connectivity problem between the browser and the hosted virtual machines, not necessarily your local bandwidth. The assessment timer continues because the session itself has started, but the remote VM session cannot be established reliably.

Use these steps to isolate and address it:

1. Verify lab connectivity and latency
   • Run the Lab Orientation & Connectivity Check from the System Readiness guidance: Lab Orientation & Connectivity Check.
   • Check the latency indicator in the lab interface:
     • 100–250 ms = Good
     • 250–500 ms = OK
     • 500 ms or higher = Poor
   • Even if the indicator shows good latency, there can still be firewall or routing issues on the path to the lab host that the indicator does not detect.
2. Rule out device and network restrictions
   • If using a work‑issued device, try again from a personal device. Corporate security software or policies can block remote-session components and cause the black screen and “connection interrupted” message.
   • If you are on a managed network (work or school Wi‑Fi/LAN), share the Connectivity Requirements with your IT department so they can confirm that outbound access (including required ports and protocols) to the lab provider is allowed.
3. Check for intermittent connectivity issues
   • A blank or black screen, delayed mouse/keyboard input, or repeated “connection interrupted” messages are typical symptoms of high latency or unstable routing between your browser and the lab host.
   • Even with a wired connection and no VPN, intermediate “hops” on the internet or datacenter connectivity can cause the VM session to fail while the assessment page itself remains responsive.
4. If the problem persists
   • Capture the results of the Lab Orientation & Connectivity Check and your latency readings.
   • Contact Microsoft Learn / certification support for Applied Skills, providing:
     • The assessment name and time
     • Screenshot of the black screen and error
     • Confirmation that the connectivity check either failed or showed poor/unstable latency
     • Whether you tested from a different device and/or non‑managed network

Support can then review the lab backend and, if needed, reschedule or reset the assessment attempt once connectivity issues are confirmed.

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References:

• Assessment lab frequently asked questions

Answer 2

I think the vm isn’t failing on ur side… this pattern only comes from a hung Learn host, so just restart the lab once and use “report a problem” if it stays black.

Answer 3

Got it—answers on Q&A platforms are meant to directly solve the author’s problem. When you write one, keep these points in mind:

✅ How answers work

• Accepted: The question author can mark your answer as Accepted once it solves their problem. This signals to others that your solution worked in practice.
• Recommended: Moderators may mark answers as Recommended if they are especially clear, complete, or useful. This helps highlight high‑quality contributions for future readers.

📝 Best practices for writing answers

• Be solution‑oriented: Focus on directly addressing the question, not just discussing the topic.
• Add context: Explain why your solution works, not just what to do.
• Keep it clear: Use concise language, step‑by‑step instructions, or examples.
• Format for readability: Use Markdown features like headings, bullet points, and code blocks where appropriate.
• Cite sources: If your solution relies on external references, include them for credibility.

📌 Example (Markdown view)

`markdown

Solution

You can fix this issue by updating your configuration file:

1. Open config.yaml.
2. Add the following line: `yaml enableFeatureX: true `
3. Restart the application.

Why this works

The error occurs because Feature X is disabled by default. Enabling it ensures the application can process requests correctly.

---

✅ Once you apply these steps, the problem should be resolved.

`

This style makes your answer easy to follow and increases the chance it will be marked Accepted or Recommended.

Would you like me to show you how to tailor answers for technical questions versus conceptual/explanatory ones?

Answer 4

Got it—answers on Q&A platforms can carry two important signals:

• Accepted ✅: This mark is given by the question author. It shows that the answer directly solved their problem or was the most helpful to them.
• Recommended ⭐: This mark is added by moderators. It highlights answers that are especially clear, accurate, or useful for the wider community.

Together, these signals help readers quickly identify which answers are trustworthy and effective solutions.

If you’re writing answers, the best way to earn these marks is to:

• Provide a clear, step‑by‑step solution.
• Address the exact problem stated in the question.
• Keep explanations concise but complete.
• Use formatting (like code blocks or bullet points) for readability.

Would you like me to show you a sample answer in Markdown format that demonstrates how to structure a solution so it’s more likely to be marked Accepted or Recommended?