How to Fix HYPERVISOR_ERROR on Windows 11/10

You may encounter HYPERVISOR_ERROR Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) while running Windows Sandbox or any virtual machine on Windows 11 or Windows 10. This error typically indicates problems with the system’s virtualization technology, hardware compatibility, or driver issues. Virtualization is crucial for running virtual machines and certain security features like Windows Sandbox, which rely on Hyper-V. However, if the system encounters conflicts or corruption in virtualization-related components, it may result in a crash displaying the HYPERVISOR_ERROR message. This article explores common causes and the right troubleshooting steps that can help resolve the HYPERVISOR_ERROR and prevent future occurrences.

How to Fix the Hypervisor Error in Windows 11

The HYPERVISOR_ERROR can be caused by several factors, including disabled or incompatible virtualization settings, outdated or corrupt drivers, and conflicts from recent Windows updates. Corrupt system files can also disrupt the Hyper-V feature, while overclocking or hardware malfunctions, such as unstable RAM or CPU issues, may lead to system instability. Additionally, third-party software, like certain antivirus programs or virtual machine applications, can interfere with Hyper-V, triggering the error.

Check System Requirements and Enable Virtualization

Windows’ Hyper-V requires a compatible processor with virtualization support. To check if your CPU supports virtualization:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
• Navigate to the Performance tab and select CPU.
• Look for Virtualization under system details; if it’s disabled, you need to enable it through BIOS/UEFI.

To enable virtualization in BIOS/UEFI:

1. Restart your PC and enter BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing F2, F10, Del, or Esc during boot).
2. Look for Intel VT-x (for Intel CPUs) or AMD-V (for AMD CPUs) under CPU configuration.
3. Enable the setting and save the changes.
4. Exit BIOS and restart your PC.

Install the latest Windows update

Microsoft regularly releases security updates with the latest bug fixes and installs the latest updates This is the first and most important step before applying any solutions.

• Open the Settings app, you can do this using the keyboard shortcut Windows + I,
• Click Update & security then Windows Update, Hit the check for updates button to allow the download and install the latest Windows updates on your PC.
• Restart your PC to apply these updates.

Update Device drivers

Most of the time Windows blue screen of death occurs because of incompatible outdated device drives. We recommend the First update installed drivers on your PC

• Open Device Manager by pressing Win + X and selecting Device Manager.
• Expand critical categories like Processors, Display adapters, and System devices.
• Right-click each device and select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
• For chipset and graphics drivers, visit the manufacturer’s website (Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA) and install the latest versions manually.

Disable Hyper-V (If Unused)

If you don’t need Hyper-V, disabling it can prevent conflicts that may trigger the error:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run the following command:

bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off

Restart your PC to apply changes and check if this help fix the blue screen of death error on windows 11.

Well, If you later need Hyper-V, you can re-enable it with:

bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto

Run System Scans to Fix Corrupt Files

Corrupt system files can cause system crashes and BSOD errors. Use built-in Windows tools to scan and repair system files:

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
• Run the following command: sfc /scannow

• Wait for the scan to complete and restart your PC if necessary.

• If SFC doesn’t fix the issue, use DISM to repair Windows image files: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

• Restart your PC after the scanning process is complete 100% and check if this helps fix the Windows blue screen error.

Disable Overclocking and Reset BIOS

If your system is overclocked, it may be causing instability that results in the HYPERVISOR_ERROR. To disable overclocking:

1. Restart your PC and enter BIOS/UEFI settings.
2. Locate any overclocking options related to CPU and RAM.
3. Set them to Default or Auto.
4. Save changes and exit BIOS.
5. If issues persist, consider resetting BIOS to factory defaults.

Check for Hardware Issues

Faulty RAM, CPU, or overheating can contribute to this error. Run hardware diagnostics:

Run Windows Memory Diagnostic:

• Press Win + R, type mdsched.exe, and hit Enter.
• Select Restart now and check for problems.
• Allow the tool to check your RAM and follow any repair suggestions.

Monitor CPU and GPU Temperatures:

• Use tools like HWMonitor or Core Temp to check for overheating.
• Ensure cooling fans are working properly and clean dust buildup.

Perform a Clean Boot to Identify Software Conflicts

A clean boot can help identify if third-party software is causing conflicts.

1. Open Run (Win + R) and type msconfig, then press Enter.
2. Go to the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, and click Disable all.
3. Open Task Manager, navigate to the Startup tab and disable unnecessary startup programs.
4. Restart your PC and check if the error persists.
5. If the error is gone, re-enable services one by one to identify the culprit.

Update BIOS

If you haven’t updated BIOS for a long and suddenly encounter this blue screen of death, it may be a BIOS/UEFI problem. And it’s recommended to update your BIOS/UEFI

Some manufacturers provide a dedicated tool that can do it automatically. For example, Asus provides WinFlash which is a BIOS updater. You can simply download it and run it on your PC. It will automatically check for the update and install if you want.

Or  Download the appropriate BIOS firmware for your motherboard from your manufacturer’s website and follow the instructions from there to update the BIOS on your PC.

If none of these methods resolve the issue, consider rolling back recent updates or performing a System Restore to revert to a previous working state.