VT-x error when setting up VirtualBox on Ubuntu

Question

I have tried to setup VirtualBox on Ubuntu, but I get this error even though Intel virtualization technology (VT-x) is set to Yes in the BIOS:

Failed to open a session for the virtual machine Ubuntu.

VT-x is disabled in the BIOS for both all CPU modes > (VERR_VMX_MSR_ALL_VMX_DISABLED).

Result Code: E_FAIL (0x80004005) Component: ConsoleWrap Interface: IConsole {872da645-4a9b-1727-bee2-5585105b9eed}

EDIT: according to SecurAble my system is able to handle virtualization:

Securable screenshot

• MC10: That setting is disabled in your BIOS. You will have to enable it.
• MC10: possible duplicate of How do I enable VT-X?
• user2676140: @MC10 --- Virtualization Technology setting is enabled in my bios. I already checked that.
• MC10: Then have you enabled it in the VirtualBox settings itself? I can't think of where else it is going wrong. Maybe see the info here.
• user2676140: @MC10 that was the case --- You are trying to allocate >3GB of RAM to the VM. Similar to the previous point, this requires: (a) a 64 bit host system; and (b) true hardware pass-through ie VT-x.

Answer 1

What solved my issue was using less than 3 GB of ram in the virtual box session. I was originally attempting to utilize roughly 6 GB.

You are trying to allocate>3GB of RAM to the VM. This requires: (a) a 64 bit host system; and (b) true hardware pass-through ie VT-x.

• naveed: This is so weird, it used to work for me and I hadn't changed anything (I had RAM set to 4GB). Thanks for posting this.
• Jahed: Have the exact same issue. Been using my VM on 8GB for months and today for no reason it's complaining about VT-x even though it is enabled. Must be a bug in VirtualBox. Dropping to 3GB takes it further but I can't run my 64bit Guest OS now since it thinks it's on a 32bit architecture and is incompatible. :(

Answer 2

In my case Memory(RAM) was not a problem, just VT-x wasn't enabled in BIOS. Or in some cases, CPU may not have support of VT at all.

To check whether your CPU supports it or not. try:

sudo apt-get install cpu-checker
sudo kvm-ok 

Second command will output if VT is enabled or not or if it's available at all.

If it does, go to BIOS and enable it. It should be named Intel Virtualization Technology, Intel VT-x, Virtualization Extensions, Vanderpool, or something similar.

• Timo: I get INFO: Your CPU does not support KVM extensions KVM acceleration can NOT be used. My proc is Intel(R) Pentium(R) CPU B960 @ 2.20GHz

Answer 3

I've been dealing with this issue for a few hours, trying to solve it with probably all the answers I could find on the Internet.

What have worked for me was removing Hyper-V role from my Windows...

MJ

• user2676140: What was your VTX error you were getting?
• eis: Same for me. I was getting "VT-x is not available". Elaborated that here