Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-15

How to Fix: Why can’t I run VirtualBox because of "A hypervisor has been detected" error?

VirtualBox error due to Hyper-V detection.

Quick Answer: Disable Windows features using PowerShell or the Control Panel, then try running VirtualBox again.

The error 'A hypervisor has been detected' prevents users from running VirtualBox on their Windows 11 Pro 24H2 system. This issue affects users who want to run a virtual machine with VirtualBox but encounter this specific error message.

Disabling Hyper-V is the primary solution to resolve this problem, as it is likely causing the 'A hypervisor has been detected' error. However, this process can be complex and may have unintended consequences on system performance.

🛑 Root Causes of the Error

  • The first main reason for this error is that Hyper-V is enabled on the system, which is interfering with VirtualBox's ability to use the virtualization features of the CPU. When Hyper-V is enabled, it can cause conflicts with other virtualization technologies like VirtualBox.
  • Alternatively, another possible cause could be related to the 'Snail execution mode' mentioned in the logs, which may indicate a problem with the system's virtualization capabilities.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

Disable Hyper-V and Virtual Machine Platform

  1. Step 1: To disable Hyper-V, press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, type 'msinfo32', and press Enter. In the System Information window, click on 'System Summary' on the left side. Look for the 'Virtualization Enabled In Firmware' field and ensure it is set to 'No'.
  2. Step 2: Next, navigate to the 'Manage' menu in the Start menu and select 'Devices and Printers'. Right-click on the Hyper-V virtual switch (if present) and select 'Disable device'. Repeat this process for any other Virtual Machine Platform or Windows Hypervisor Platform devices.
  3. Step 3: After disabling these features, restart your system. This will ensure that all changes take effect.

Disable Snail execution mode

  1. Step 1: To disable the 'Snail execution mode', use the following PowerShell command: Get-ExecutionPolicy | Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned. This will allow VirtualBox to run in its full potential.
  2. Step 2: However, be aware that this method may have unintended consequences on system performance and security.

✨ Wrapping Up

Disabling Hyper-V is the recommended solution to resolve the 'A hypervisor has been detected' error when running VirtualBox. If you are not using Hyper-V for any reason, consider disabling it to enable VirtualBox to run at its full potential. Always back up your system before making significant changes.

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