nabbisen

Posted on Oct 4, 2018 • Updated on Jan 3, 2023

VirtualBox: How To Fix Failure In Starting VM (On Manjaro Linux)

#virtualbox #vm #manjaro #archlinux

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)

aze96 • Oct 28 '19 • Edited

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.

nabbisen • Oct 28 '19 • Edited

Hi aze96,
Thank you for your commenting, and question + screenshot :)

vboxnetadp not found

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.

aze96 • Oct 28 '19

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...)

nabbisen • Oct 28 '19 • Edited

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?

aze96 • Oct 28 '19

Hi,

virtualbox-host-modules is 6.0.12-2.
I have not installed virtualbox-host-dkms. Should i install it?

nabbisen • Oct 29 '19 • Edited

Hi, aze96,

I have updated my comment I wrote yesterday:

OK. I don't think so but am not sure. I'll check it tomorrow.

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?

aze96 • Oct 30 '19

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.

nabbisen • Oct 31 '19

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.

Saclier • Feb 18 '20

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/... )

nabbisen • Feb 18 '20

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 🙂 ?

Saclier • Feb 18 '20

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.

nabbisen • Feb 18 '20

Hi. Thank you for your check.

Did I just cant use VB with my kernel version ?

I'm not sure now. I'll check in a few days with the same kernel version to yours.

nabbisen • Mar 3 '20

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.

Halldor Stefansson • Jan 26 '19

Thank you :D

nabbisen • Jan 27 '19

Thank you for your comment.
Did you meet the same problem?
I'm happy if it helped you :)

Halldor Stefansson • Jan 27 '19

Yes, had the same problem. Needed the last step.
Once I did 'vboxreload' it worked.
Thank you for sharing this :)

nabbisen • Jan 27 '19

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.

kreezxil • Jan 14 '21

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!

nabbisen • Jan 16 '21

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 😁

kreezxil • Jan 16 '21

Btw, you can make the article more current by specifying that on Manjaro 20+ vboxconfig should be replaced with vboxreload.

nabbisen • Jan 18 '21

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 🤭