Tired of the error “VirtualBox kernel module is not loaded”?

This error appears when we start the VirtualBox. A few workarounds will resolve the error.

Here at Bobcares, we often receive requests to fix VirtualBox errors as a part of our Server Management Services.

Today, let’s see how our Support Engineers fix VirtualBox kernel module is not loaded.

Causes for the VirtualBox kernel module is not loaded

This error occurs when we start the VirtualBox or when we start the virtual machine in VirtualBox.

The major reason for vboxdrv kernel module error is missing dependencies in the server or when the server is not up to date.

Another possibility occurs if the installation of the VirtualBox is not proper. Other reasons include VM created with old OS versions.

The sample error looks like:

How we fix the VirtualBox kernel module is not loaded

Recently one of our customers contacted us with the error. Let us discuss how our Support Engineers resolve the error for our customers.

Update the dependencies in the server

One of the common reason for the error is that the dependencies in the server are not up to date.

We log in to the linux server and checking if updates are available for the server.

Then we update it using the command since our customer is using Ubuntu server.

sudo apt install -f

After completing the update, we were able to start the VirtualBox without any errors.

Reinstall VirtualBox

Similarly, if the installation of the VirtualBox is incorrect, we get this error. Thus, we uninstall the VirtualBox and re-install it again for our customers.

Our Support Engineers do it only if we face the error when launching the VirtualBox.

First we uninstall the vbox using the command in Ubuntu.

sudo apt-get purge virtualbox-\*

After reinstall the VBox using the command

sudo apt install virtualbox

We were able to load the VirtualBox create VM without any issue after installing it again.

Enable EFI

Recently one of our customers contacted us with this error when setting up a Windows machine. To resolve the error we need to enable EFI. Let us discuss how our Support Engineers Enable EFI to resolve the issue.

First, we open VirtualBox. Then we select the virtual machine.

We click on the Settings of the virtual machine.

In the left pane, we select the System tab. Then we select the Motherboard tab.

Under Extended features we select Enable EFI button.

Finally, click on OK.

After that, we were able to access the virtual machine.

Disable Secure Boot

One of our customers was trying to install an older OS version and was getting this error. On analyzing the setting, we found that the server had EFI in enabled status.

Thus, from the VirtualBox, we deselect Enable EFI of the virtual machine.

If the VirtualBox itself fails to load with the error, then we need to disable the secure boot from the BIOS.

After disabling the secure boot we can run older OS versions.

Disabling secure boot is not an advisable process but to load an older OS, the only option is to disable it.

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Conclusion

In short, we have discussed the causes of the VirtualBox kernel module is not loaded error. Also, we have discussed how our Support Engineers fixed the error for our customers.