<p>With the increasing popularity of inverter-based renewable energy sources, modern power grids face significant challenges in ensuring stable operation. The virtual synchronous generator technology has been considerably investigated as a promising solution for such challenges. However, this technology’s performance under fault operation conditions is insufficient. To avoid the effects of excessive fault current and voltage drop, low-voltage ride-through operation for a virtual synchronous generator needs to be carefully improved. This article proposes a virtual synchronous generator control strategy for grid-connected inverter based on sliding mode control and virtual adaptive inductance. The virtual synchronous generator’s outer control loop is adopted to stabilize the system frequency and provide voltage reference. A sliding mode control-based vector approach with a specified switching frequency that inherits the robustness and quick response rate of sliding mode control has been carefully developed for inner control loops. Then, virtual adaptive inductance and reactive power control links were designed and integrated through inner loops to limit the inverter current and compensate for reactive power during the grid fault. Finally, using MATLAB/Simulink, simulation results under various fault types and severities verify the proposed approach. Compared to other virtual synchronous generator control methods, a satisfactory low-voltage ride-through capability with dependable operational performance is obtained for the proposed virtual synchronous generator controller.</p>