Manjaro QEMU Virtmanager: Resolve VM Internet Issues

If you’re using Manjaro and have encountered frustrating issues with virtual machines in QEMU Virtmanager not connecting to the internet, you’re not alone. This guide will help you troubleshoot the problem by switching from UFW to firewalld, ensuring seamless internet access for your VMs. Let’s get started!

The Problem:
No Internet for VMs

While setting up QEMU Virtmanager, I faced an issue where my virtual machines couldn’t connect to the internet. After some investigation, I discovered that UFW was causing the conflict. To resolve this, I needed to switch to firewalld.

Installing firewalld in Manjaro

Here’s how to install firewalld and configure it for your VMs:

Step 1: Disable and Remove UFW
If UFW is currently running, you’ll need to disable and uninstall it:

sudo ufw disable
sudo pacman -R ufw

Step 2: Install firewalld
Install firewalld with the following command:

sudo pacman -S firewalld

Step 3: Enable and Start firewalld
Enable and start the firewalld service:

sudo systemctl enable firewalld
sudo systemctl start firewalld

Step 4: Check Active Zones
To confirm that firewalld is running, check the active zones:

sudo firewall-cmd --get-active-zones

Step 5: Allow SSH and SFTP
Since SFTP runs over SSH, allow SSH to ensure connectivity:

sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-service=ssh --permanent
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

Step 6: Verify Your Configuration
Check your current rules to ensure everything is correctly set up:

sudo firewall-cmd --list-all

Virtmanager Is My Top Choice

After switching to and configuring firewalld, I was able to install virtual machines without any issues. Virtmanager has proven to be an exceptional virtualization solution, especially for PCs with integrated Intel UHD630 graphics. Its ease of enabling 3D acceleration leads to a smoother and more responsive user experience.

Why I Use Manjaro

Manjaro stands out as an excellent Linux distribution for several reasons. With access to the AUR (Arch User Repository), it provides a vast selection of software. I’ve had experiences where certain applications, like Flywheel’s LocalWP, were challenging to install on other distributions. Manjaro’s flexibility made it a breeze.

While Manjaro often faces criticism, it remains my go-to Linux distribution for web design and web application development. It simplifies the installation of essential applications like Pinokio and LocalWP, while also offering flexible system management. If you’re encountering similar internet connectivity issues with your VMs, switching to firewalld will resolve the problem.

If you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend giving Manjaro a chance as your powerful and user-friendly Linux solution.