A processing system includes a hardware translation lookaside buffer (TLB) retry loop that retries virtual memory address to physical memory address translation requests from a software client independent of a command from the software client. In response to a retry response notification at the TLB, a controller of the TLB waits for a programmable delay period and then retries the request without involvement from the software client. After a retry results in a hit at the TLB, the controller notifies the software client of the hit. Alternatively, if a retry results in an error at the TLB, the controller notifies the software client of the error and the software client initiates error handling.