Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: VirtualBox error after deleting snapshot

Recover VirtualBox VM after deleting snapshot error

Quick Answer: Try to restore the deleted snapshot from the VirtualBox GUI or command line, and then try to start the virtual machine.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 🛑 Root Causes of the Error
  2. ✅ Best Solutions to Fix It
  3. ✨ Wrapping Up

This error occurs when the VirtualBox VM is unable to locate the deleted snapshot file, which can happen after a snapshot deletion process takes an extended amount of time. This issue affects users who have been using VirtualBox on their laptops.

Recovering from this error requires patience and persistence as it involves manually restoring the VM's state. It may seem frustrating at first, but following these steps should help resolve the problem.

🛑 Root Causes of the Error

  • The primary reason for this error is that VirtualBox cannot find the deleted snapshot file due to its temporary nature. When a snapshot is deleted, it gets removed from the system, and if not properly restored, can cause issues with VM startup.
  • An alternative possible cause could be a corrupted or incomplete deletion of the snapshot file, leading to an inconsistent state in the VirtualBox database.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

Restore VM State from Backup (if available)

  1. Step 1: If you have a backup of your VM's state before deleting the snapshot, restore it using VirtualBox's built-in recovery feature. To do this, open VirtualBox, go to 'File' > 'Settings' > 'Storage', select the storage controller containing the deleted VM, and click on the 'Restore from Backup' button.
  2. Step 2: Alternatively, you can try restoring the VM state by manually copying the contents of the old snapshot file into the new location. This method requires technical expertise and should be approached with caution.
  3. Step 3: Once the VM state has been restored, restart VirtualBox and attempt to start the VM.

Manually Re-create the Snapshot

  1. Step 1: To re-create the snapshot manually, open VirtualBox and go to 'File' > 'Snapshot' > 'New'. Select the VM you want to create a new snapshot for and give it a name. Then, click on the 'Create' button.
  2. Step 2: Next, navigate to the location where the deleted snapshot file was stored (usually in the '/home/user/VirtualBox VMs/Main/Snapshots/' directory) and copy the contents of the old file into the new one. Make sure to update the file's name and path accordingly.

✨ Wrapping Up

In most cases, restoring the VM state from backup or manually re-creating the snapshot should resolve the issue. If you're unable to recover your VM using these methods, it may be worth seeking further assistance from VirtualBox support or a professional IT technician.

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