Problem
I was unable to update Home Assistant Core from 2026.9.0 to 2026.10.0.
The Supervisor repeatedly reported:
Can't install ghcr.io/home-assistant/qemux86-64-homeassistant:2026.10.0: [0] unexpected EOF
The Docker image download was extremely slow. Large layers repeatedly restarted or reached 100% before failing with unexpected EOF.
My setup
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Home Assistant OS running in Oracle VirtualBox
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Windows-based Intel NUC host
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Host connected via Wi-Fi (Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165)
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VirtualBox network mode: Bridged Adapter
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Original adapter type: Intel PRO/1000 MT Desktop (82540EM)
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VM RAM: 4 GB
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Free disk space: approximately 18 GB
Troubleshooting
DNS resolution and connectivity to ghcr.io worked correctly.
A direct Docker pull reproduced the problem:
docker pull ghcr.io/home-assistant/qemux86-64-homeassistant:2026.10.0
The Docker daemon repeatedly reported:
Download failed, retrying (1/5): unexpected EOF
Download failed after 5 attempts: unexpected EOF
I then tested downloading the same 100 MB file from proof.ovh.net on both the Windows host and the Home Assistant VM.
Results
| Test | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Windows NUC host | 9.75 seconds | Unchanged |
| Home Assistant VM | Did not complete within 180 seconds | 8 seconds |
| Docker image download | Repeated unexpected EOF | Successful |
| Core 2026.10.0 update | Failed | Successful |
Solution
I shut down the Home Assistant VM and changed only one setting in VirtualBox:
Settings → Network → Adapter 1 → Adapter Type
From:
Intel PRO/1000 MT Desktop (82540EM)
To:
Paravirtualized Network (virtio-net)
I kept the bridged networking mode, physical Wi-Fi adapter, MAC address and all other settings unchanged.
After restarting the VM, Home Assistant was accessible at its original static IP address.
The 100 MB download completed in just 8 seconds, compared with the previous attempt that did not finish within 180 seconds.
I then installed Home Assistant Core 2026.10.0 normally through the Home Assistant web interface.
The update completed successfully, and everything is working.
Conclusion
In my case, the VirtualBox network adapter type appears to have been responsible for the extremely slow downloads and repeated unexpected EOF errors.
Switching from the emulated Intel PRO/1000 adapter to virtio-net completely resolved the issue.
This may help other users running Home Assistant OS in VirtualBox, particularly with bridged networking over Wi-Fi.
Note: Changing the virtual network adapter can affect interface detection and network configuration. Make sure you have access to the VM host and can revert the setting if necessary.