Intro
Manjaro Linux is one of Linux distros based on Arch Linux.
This is my favorite one because of its flexible user interface and powerful package management.
I have failed in running a virtual machine using VirtualBox, however, not few times.
This has been found to be simply because of my way to install VirtualBox.
Thus I decided to write and record how to fix it in order to escape from failing again.
* note: The official document is here.
Problem
An error occurs when trying to run a virtual machine:
Error messages #1:
Error messages #2:
It says:
- "Kernel driver not installed (rc=-1908)"
- "VERR_VM_DRIVER_NOT_INSTALLED"
- "The VirtualBox Linux kernel driver (vboxdrv) is either not loaded or there is a permission problem with /dev/vboxdrv."
But, to my confusion, there is no '/sbin/vboxconfig
' in my Manjaro machine.
I know now this is a problem that some modules in /lib/modules/extramodules-[kernel version]-MANJARO/
such as vboxdrv
and vboxpci
are missing.
Solution
Preparation
- Get kernel version
For example, use uname -r
command:
$ uname -r
4.14.71-1-MANJARO
Procedure
Run Pamac installer.
Search "virtualbox".
-
Select "Oracle VM VirtualBox (virtualbox)" and install it.
-
When the below modal opens, select NOT "virtualbox-host-modules" BUT "linux[kernel version]-virtualbox-host-modules":
NOT:
BUT:
(The version is up to the host machine.) Run
vboxreload
command if there is still an error.
$ sudo vboxreload
Loading modules: vboxnetadp vboxnetflt vboxpci vboxdrv
Outro
Thank you very much for your reading.
I'm happy if this post helps someone who has the same problem in some way : )
Top comments (37)
Hello heddi,
I've the same issue as you describe. But your solution does not help :/
I can install virtualbox without any problem. But when i want to start a
new vm the error windows pops up.
I tried the command 'sudo vboxreload' in the terminal with
the follow output(thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i...)
Hope for your help.
Hi aze96,
Thank you for your commenting, and question + screenshot :)
I think it's the keyword, but know little about your environment.
Which OS do you use?
Also, how have you installed your VirtualBox? -- as far as you remember it.
Hi Heddi,
Thank you for your fast reply.
OS: Manjaro 18.1.1
Kernel: 5.2.21
I installed it over the AUR Repository (thepracticaldev.s3.amazonaws.com/i...)
aze96,
you're welcome. I'm interested.
Thanks.
Your kernel is 5.2.21 and VBox is 6.0.12.
The error in your first screenshot is
/lib/modules/5.2.21-*
.How about the versions of virtualbox-host-modules or virtualbox-host-dkms in Manjaro Package Manager?
Hi,
virtualbox-host-modules is 6.0.12-2.
I have not installed virtualbox-host-dkms. Should i install it?
Hi, aze96,
I have updated my comment I wrote yesterday:
Well, I have checked it by installing Manjaro onto clean env.
Q1. Have you chosen linux_52_-virtualbox-host-modules? 5(.)2 is your kernel version.
Q2. What does
sudo modprobe vboxdrv
return in command line?Yeyyy!!!!
It finally works. You where right. I had to install this host module. Now i can run Virtualbox and VM's without problem.
Thank you for helping :)
Have a nice day.
sorry that i answered that late i was afk yesterday btw.
Yey, wonderful :)
I was not wholly sure, and now feel happy to hear it.
You're welcome. Also, no problem on your answering.
Have a nice day, too.
Hello I just follow your guide step by step, but it doesn't fix the problem for me :'(
what did i did wrong ?
here is all I downloaded and installed ( dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/... )
Hello, Saclier.
Your screenshot looks correct to me... 🤔
According to Manjaro page,
mhwd-kernel -li
tells which kernel actually runs.Also, according to Manjaro forum,
there has been an issue in VirtualBox just with Kernel 4.19, which I don't know is related to your case.
Would these information be your help 🙂 ?
Hi.
I m running the kernel : 419
In the actual situation Virtualbox return the error when i try to launch Windows.
I look the forum you linked but I can't understand why it doesn't work for me.
Did I just cant use VB with my kernel version ?
Thank you for your quick answer.
Hi. Thank you for your check.
I'm not sure now. I'll check in a few days with the same kernel version to yours.
Saclier,
I tried to run vm with VirtualBox in Manjaro whose kernel is 4.19.
It was successful ☺️
Have you installed "linux 419 -virtualbox-host-modules" ?
Linux Kernel
Manjaro Package Manager
VirtualBox
I'm sorry to be late for this reply.
Time was necessary in order to find a Manjaro machine as I had recently used Debian ones.
Thank you :D
Thank you for your comment.
Did you meet the same problem?
I'm happy if it helped you :)
Yes, had the same problem. Needed the last step.
Once I did 'vboxreload' it worked.
Thank you for sharing this :)
That's a good news.
You are welcome!
Thank you, too.
I wonder why I needed to take the former steps then.
It might be some package problem.
Just shy of 2 plus years later and this article is as relevant as ever! Thank you it has allowed me to keep more of my hair!
Thank you, too, for your commenting 😊
I didn't imagine this post would help you more than 2 years later, of course, then.
I feel happy to know it helped you and your hair 😁
Btw, you can make the article more current by specifying that on Manjaro 20+ vboxconfig should be replaced with vboxreload.
Thank you for detail. Yes, my Manjaro version at that time seemed 19 or around.
I think it's better to correct this post than make a new one, but I have used Arch-based Artix recently and don't know how now. I'll try at some point or another.
Well, anyway, the correct information has been brought already here by you. Thank you 🤭
Thank you. Resolved the issue for me.
It's a happy news.
Thank you.
I feel happy to hear it :)
Thank u, that was life-saving:)
Hi, m3dsh.
Oh, really 😁
I'm happy to hear it!
Thank you for your message.
Thanks a lot, you helpe me so much!
Thanks, too, to give me a happy news 😄
Thank you very much, you just solved a good hour of google searches
Thank you, too, to leave your comment on my post 😁
I know how the feeling is when google searches never bring the very solution 😉
Thanks for great tutorial, it fixed it.
Hi, charnoo,
Thank you for your message.
I'm happy to hear your problem has been solved ☺️
Thanks for sharing :) It helps.
Thank you for your comment.
I'm happy to hear it :)
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