How do I fix: 🔍 Why This Happens?

The primary reason for this error is that the VirtualBox COM server is not running or failed to start after the Linux 4.20 update. This can happen if the VirtualBox kernel modules are not properly configured or if there is a conflict with other applications.An alternative reason could be that the Vi

How do I fix: 🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps Reinstalling VirtualBox?

Step 1: Open a terminal and run the command `sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install --reinstall virtualbox` to reinstall VirtualBox.Step 2: After reinstalling, run `VBoxManage list -l` again to check if the error persists.Step 3: If the issue is resolved after reinstalling VirtualBox, proceed t

How do I fix: Resetting VirtualBox configuration?

Step 1: Open a terminal and run `VBoxManage modifyvm --reconfigure` to reset the configuration of each virtual machine.Step 2: After resetting the configuration, try starting VirtualBox again to see if the error persists.

Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: Virtualbox error (NS_ERROR_FACTORY_NOT_REGISTERED ) after Linux 4.20 and VBOX 6.0 update (Arch Linux)

VirtualBox error NS_ERROR_FACTORY_NOT_REGISTERED after Linux 4.20 and VBOX 6.0 update (Arch Linux)

Quick Answer: Check if the VirtualBox COM server is running or failed to start, try restarting it.

📋 Table of Contents

🔍 Why This Happens
🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps
💡 Conclusion

The error NS_ERROR_FACTORY_NOT_REGISTERED is encountered after upgrading Arch Linux to Linux 4.20 and updating VirtualBox to version 6.0. This issue affects users of VirtualBox who are running on Arch Linux, causing the program to fail to start.

This error can be frustrating for users as it prevents them from using their virtual machines and accessing the features they need. However, by following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue and get your VirtualBox up and running again.

🔍 Why This Happens

The primary reason for this error is that the VirtualBox COM server is not running or failed to start after the Linux 4.20 update. This can happen if the VirtualBox kernel modules are not properly configured or if there is a conflict with other applications.
An alternative reason could be that the VirtualBox installation was corrupted or damaged during the upgrade process, leading to this error.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Reinstalling VirtualBox

Step 1: Open a terminal and run the command `sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install --reinstall virtualbox` to reinstall VirtualBox.
Step 2: After reinstalling, run `VBoxManage list -l` again to check if the error persists.
Step 3: If the issue is resolved after reinstalling VirtualBox, proceed to the next step.

Resetting VirtualBox configuration

Step 1: Open a terminal and run `VBoxManage modifyvm --reconfigure` to reset the configuration of each virtual machine.
Step 2: After resetting the configuration, try starting VirtualBox again to see if the error persists.

💡 Conclusion

To resolve the NS_ERROR_FACTORY_NOT_REGISTERED error after upgrading Arch Linux and updating VirtualBox, follow one of the two primary fix methods outlined above. If reinstalling VirtualBox or resetting its configuration does not resolve the issue, you may need to seek further assistance from the VirtualBox community or a professional IT technician.

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