{"id":6055,"date":"2024-12-13T20:20:18","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T14:50:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/?p=6055"},"modified":"2025-05-02T13:13:23","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T07:43:23","slug":"vmwgfx-seems-to-be-running-on-an-unsupported-hypervisor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/vmwgfx-seems-to-be-running-on-an-unsupported-hypervisor\/","title":{"rendered":"VMWGFX seems to be running on an unsupported hypervisor  [Fix]"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Users of Ubuntu or Debian-based virtual machines running on VirtualBox may encounter the error message &#8216;<strong>VMWGFX seems to be running on an unsupported hypervisor<\/strong>.&#8217; This error typically indicates a <strong>compatibility issue between the virtual machine&#8217;s graphics driver and the VirtualBox hypervisor<\/strong>. This guide will clearly explain the problem and provide a step-by-step solution. A screenshot of the error is shown below for your reference:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-13-105246.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1428\" height=\"317\" data-id=\"6056\" src=\"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-13-105246.jpg\" alt=\"vmwgfx 0000:00:0Z.0 [drm] *ERROR* vmwgfx seems to be running on an unsupported hypervisor.\nvmwgfx 0000:00:0Z.0 [drm] *ERROR* This configuration is likely broken.\nvmwgfx 0000:00:0Z.0 [drm] *ERROR* Please switch to a supported graphics device to avoid problems.\" class=\"wp-image-6056\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-13-105246.jpg 1428w, https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-13-105246-300x67.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-13-105246-1024x227.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-13-105246-768x170.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1428px) 100vw, 1428px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse has-text-align-left\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">\u201cVMWGFX Unsupported Hypervisor or Failure.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><br>This error typically occurs because VirtualBox isn\u2019t fully compatible with the VMware graphics driver that Ubuntu (a Debian-based machine) is attempting to use. This may happen after a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/how-to-update-linux-kernel-in-ubuntu\/\">kernel upgrade<\/a> that causes compatibility issues with the hypervisor.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"solution\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">Solution<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"step-1-power-off-the-virtual-machine\">Step 1: Power Off the Virtual Machine<\/h4>\n\n\n<p><strong>Shut down<\/strong> your Ubuntu virtual machine completely. This ensures you can safely modify its settings without issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-13-152707.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1919\" height=\"578\" data-id=\"6063\" src=\"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-13-152707.jpg\" alt=\"To solve the error:\nvmwgfx 0000:00:0Z.0 [drm] *ERROR* vmwgfx seems to be running on an unsupported hypervisor.\nvmwgfx 0000:00:0Z.0 [drm] *ERROR* This configuration is likely broken.\nvmwgfx 0000:00:0Z.0 [drm] *ERROR* Please switch to a supported graphics device to avoid problems.\n\ntry powering off the virtual machine first and go to settings.\" class=\"wp-image-6063\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-13-152707.jpg 1919w, https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-13-152707-300x90.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-13-152707-1024x308.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-13-152707-768x231.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Screenshot-2024-12-13-152707-1536x463.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1919px) 100vw, 1919px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"step-2-open-virtual-machine-settings\">Step 2: Open Virtual Machine Settings<\/h4>\n\n\n<p><strong>Select<\/strong> your Ubuntu virtual machine in VirtualBox that has the problem: &#8220;VMWGFX seems to be running on an unsupported hypervisor&#8221; and then click on the <strong>Settings Icon<\/strong> as shown below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/vm-settings.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1164\" height=\"356\" data-id=\"6064\" src=\"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/vm-settings.gif\" alt=\"Select your Ubuntu virtual machine in VirtualBox and then Click on the Settings icon.\" class=\"wp-image-6064\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"step-3-adjust-display-settings\">Step 3: Adjust Display Settings<\/h4>\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Navigate to the <strong>Display<\/strong> section in the settings menu.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Under the <strong>Screen<\/strong> tab:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Set the <strong>Graphics Controller<\/strong> to <strong>VBoxSVGA<\/strong>. If it\u2019s set to something else, like VMware-compatible drivers, this is likely causing the issue.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increase the <strong>Video Memory<\/strong> for better performance. (Be cautious; setting it too high might cause your system to freeze.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/change-graphics-vm.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1918\" height=\"688\" data-id=\"6065\" src=\"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/change-graphics-vm.gif\" alt=\"To fix: VMWGFX seems to be running on an unsupported hypervisor error, set the graphics controller to VBoxSVGA in Display settings of Virtual machine.\" class=\"wp-image-6065\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"step-4-boot-the-virtual-machine-again\">Step 4: Boot the Virtual Machine Again<\/h4>\n\n\n<p><strong>Save<\/strong> <strong>your settings <\/strong>and <strong>start the virtual machine<\/strong>. Ubuntu should now boot without displaying the error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/start-vm-now.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1918\" height=\"688\" data-id=\"6066\" src=\"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/start-vm-now.gif\" alt=\"Save your settings and start the virtual machine.\n\nUbuntu should now boot without displaying the error.\" class=\"wp-image-6066\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">Why Choose Ubuntu on a VPS?<\/span><\/strong><br>If running Ubuntu on VirtualBox isn\u2019t cutting it for you, consider trying it on a VPS. Running Ubuntu on a VPS can provide:<br>1. Better performance.<br>2. No compatibility issues like the one above.<br>3. Round-the-clock availability.<br>Check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/vps-hosting\/\">latest Ubuntu VPS options here<\/a> to see if a VPS might be the right fit for your needs.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-separator uagb-block-3a6bde2b\"><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-separator__inner\" style=\"--my-background-image:\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>By following these simple steps, you should have resolved the <strong>VMW GFX Failure<\/strong> or <strong>Unsupported Hypervisor Error<\/strong> in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.virtualbox.org\/wiki\/Changelog\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">VirtualBox<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-separator uagb-block-d11aba42\"><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-separator__inner\" style=\"--my-background-image:\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<ol class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<li id=\"faq-question-1740910915969\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \">What does the error &#8220;VMWGFX seems to be running on an unsupported hypervisor&#8221; mean?<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>This error signifies a compatibility issue between the graphics driver of the virtual machine (VMWGFX) and the VirtualBox hypervisor. In simple terms, Ubuntu or Debian is attempting to utilize a VMware graphics driver while running on VirtualBox, resulting in a conflict.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1740910976882\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \">What is VMWGFX?<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>VMWGFX is a graphics driver specifically designed for VMware virtual machines<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1740910993641\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \">Why does the error &#8220;VMWGFX seems to be running on an unsupported hypervisor&#8221; occur in VirtualBox?<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>VirtualBox uses its own graphics drivers (like VBoxSVGA). When the guest OS detects VMWGFX, it causes a conflict because VirtualBox isn&#8217;t designed to use those drivers.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1740911124121\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \">Why does &#8220;VMWGFX seem to be running on an unsupported hypervisor&#8221; error after the Kernel update?<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Kernel updates may cause the guest operating system to re-detect hardware and drivers. This process can result in the incorrect selection of the VMWGFX graphics driver in VirtualBox.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1740911201409\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \">What is VBoxSVGA?<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>VBoxSVGA is the default graphics controller for VirtualBox. It is designed to be compatible with the VirtualBox hypervisor.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-call-to-action uagb-block-a95fb6a1 wp-block-button\"><div class=\"uagb-cta__wrap\"><h3 class=\"uagb-cta__title\">Unleash Your Website&#8217;s Potential<\/h3><p class=\"uagb-cta__desc\">Experience lightning-fast speeds and unparalleled performance with our powerful VPS hosting solutions.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"uagb-cta__buttons\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/in\/vps-hosting\/\" class=\"uagb-cta__button-link-wrapper wp-block-button__link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> See Pricing<svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M504.3 273.6l-112.1 104c-6.992 6.484-17.18 8.218-25.94 4.406c-8.758-3.812-14.42-12.45-14.42-21.1L351.9 288H32C14.33 288 .0002 273.7 .0002 255.1S14.33 224 32 224h319.9l0-72c0-9.547 5.66-18.19 14.42-22c8.754-3.809 18.95-2.075 25.94 4.41l112.1 104C514.6 247.9 514.6 264.1 504.3 273.6z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how to fix the error: VMWGFX seems to be running on an unsupported hypervisor of Debian-based OS easily.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":8448,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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Antony","author_link":"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/author\/adrian\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Learn how to fix the error: VMWGFX seems to be running on an unsupported hypervisor of Debian-based OS easily.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6055","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6055"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6055\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8817,"href":"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6055\/revisions\/8817"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8448"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6055"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6055"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6055"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}