Windows sets virtual network adapter down
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Description
### Windows Version
Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.26100.7392]
### WSL Version
2.6.2.0
### Are you using WSL 1 or WSL 2?
- [x] WSL 2
- [ ] WSL 1
### Kernel Version
6.6.87.2-microsoft-standard-WSL2
### Distro Version
Arch Linux
### Other Software
Vagrant: 2.4.9
With provider:
Oracle VirtualBox: 7.2.4
### Repro Steps
Using mirrored networking
Starting a VM, using virtualbox "Host-Only Adapter" which assigns addresses on `192.168.56.1/24`
By default this adapter is mirrored _but_ not assigned an ip or enabled. Looking through `ipconfig.exe /all` the physical address can be found. Looking in `ip link` the interface can be determined.
Assume `eth3` is the interface, enable the interface like so:
sudo ip addr add dev eth3 192.168.56.1/24
sudo ip link set eth3 up
Then connectivity works between vms and wsl.
### Expected Behavior
1. That this adapter is enabled automatically. At least i expect this is what "mirrored" implies
2. That the adapter stays up
### Actual Behavior
The adapter goes down at random intervals(seconds or minutes). In linux, with the errors:
```
systemd-networkd[93]: eth3: Link DOWN
systemd-networkd[93]: eth3: Lost carrier
```
From what i see in logs this seems to be as a result of some dns change reapplying the network state before adapter is set up
### Diagnostic Logs
I managed to catch a pretty clean log file
[WslLogs-2025-12-22_08-39-43.zip](https://github.com/user-attachments/files/24287777/WslLogs-2025-12-22_08-39-43.zip)
Contributor guide
First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
Reproduce the issue with WSL 2 mirrored networking, an Oracle VirtualBox Host-Only Adapter, and the shown ip commands. Start by reviewing the attached WslLogs archive alongside the systemd-networkd Link DOWN and Lost carrier messages, especially around DNS changes. Done means the adapter is enabled as expected and remains up without recurring connectivity loss.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- linux
- Domain
- networking, operating-systems
- Issue type
- Bug
- Difficulty
- 4/5
- Estimated time
- 3-5 days
- Activity status
- Quiet
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 48/100