Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: Fedora 37 VirtualBox Error "vboxdrv kernel module is not loaded" and "Kernel driver not installed (rc=-1908)"

Fedora Linux 37 VirtualBox error fix for vboxdrv kernel module not loaded and kernel driver not installed.

Quick Answer: Run the command "akmods --kernels 6.0.7-301.fc37.x86_64" to update the kernel modules, then restart the vboxdrv service with "systemctl restart vboxdrv.service".

The 'vboxdrv kernel module is not loaded' and 'Kernel driver not installed (rc=-1908)' error in Fedora 37 VirtualBox occurs when the Linux kernel module required by VirtualBox cannot be loaded. This issue affects users who have installed VirtualBox on their Fedora 37 system, specifically those running the x86_64 architecture with kernel version 6.0.7-301.fc37.x86_64.

This error can be frustrating as it prevents users from starting and managing virtual machines using VirtualBox. Fortunately, there are steps that can be taken to resolve this issue.

🛑 Root Causes of the Error

  • The primary reason for this error is that the kernel module required by VirtualBox may not be available or has failed to load due to a mismatch between the installed kernel and the module's architecture. This can occur when there are issues with the installation process, conflicts with other packages, or outdated kernel versions.
  • An alternative cause could be related to hardware incompatibilities or specific system configurations that prevent VirtualBox from functioning properly.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

Updating the kernel and reinstalling the VirtualBox kernel module

  1. Step 1: Update the Fedora package list using dnf: `sudo dnf update`.
  2. Step 2: Install the necessary kernel development package for the current kernel version: `sudo dnf install kernel-devel-6.0.7-301.fc37.x86_64`.
  3. Step 3: Reinstall the VirtualBox kernel module and its dependencies: `sudo akmods --kernels 6.0.7-301.fc37.x86_64`.
  4. Step 4: Restart the vboxdrv service to ensure it loads properly: `systemctl restart vboxdrv.service`.

Manually compiling and installing the VirtualBox kernel module

  1. Step 1: Download the VirtualBox source code from the official website: .
  2. Step 2: Compile the VirtualBox kernel module using the provided instructions: `./configure --with-kernel=6.0.7-301.fc37.x86_64 --build=x86_64-redhat-linux-gnu`.
  3. Step 3: Install the compiled kernel module and its dependencies: `sudo make install`.

✨ Wrapping Up

To resolve the 'vboxdrv kernel module is not loaded' and 'Kernel driver not installed (rc=-1908)' error in Fedora 37 VirtualBox, users can try the primary fix method of updating the kernel and reinstalling the VirtualBox kernel module. If this fails, an alternative solution involves manually compiling and installing the VirtualBox kernel module. By following these steps, users should be able to resolve the issue and start using their virtual machines with VirtualBox.

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