Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: Can't start Hyper-V VM - error hypervisor is not running

Hyper-V VM startup error due to hypervisor not running.

Quick Answer: Check if the Virtualization Enabled In Firmware is set correctly in the BIOS settings.

The error 'Virtual machine 'VM NAME' could not be started because the hypervisor is not running' occurs when Hyper-V fails to initialize or start, preventing the virtual machine from booting. This issue affects users who have enabled Virtualization in their BIOS and are attempting to run a Hyper-V virtual machine on Windows 10.

This error can be frustrating as it may lead to lost productivity and wasted time trying to resolve the issue. In this troubleshooting guide, we will walk through the steps to identify and fix the root cause of this problem.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The primary reason for this error is that the hypervisor is not enabled or is not running correctly in the Windows 10 operating system. This can occur due to various reasons such as incorrect BIOS settings, corrupted system files, or issues with the Hyper-V installation.
  • Another possible cause is that the BCD (Boot Configuration Data) store is corrupted, preventing the hypervisor from launching. This can be caused by a faulty boot process or an issue with the Windows 10 installation.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Enabling Hypervisor Launch Type and Checking BIOS Settings

  1. Step 1: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type the following command: `bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto` This will enable the automatic launch of the hypervisor.
  2. Step 2: Verify that Virtualization is enabled in the BIOS settings. Ensure that Execute Disabled Bit is also enabled to prevent any potential issues.
  3. Step 3: Check the Windows 10 Event Viewer for any errors related to Hyper-V or BCD corruption. If you find any errors, you may need to reset the BCD store using the built-in tool `bcdedit /reset`.

Resetting BCD Store and Checking System Files

  1. Step 1: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type the following command: `bcdedit /reset` This will reset the BCD store to its default settings.
  2. Step 2: Run a system file check using the built-in tool `sfc /scannow` to ensure that all system files are intact and not corrupted.

✨ Wrapping Up

To resolve the 'Hypervisor is not running' error in Hyper-V, try enabling Hypervisor Launch Type and checking BIOS settings. If the issue persists, attempt resetting the BCD store and checking for system file corruption. By following these steps, you should be able to identify and fix the root cause of this problem and get your virtual machine up and running.

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