I get the error "Unable to start the virtual device" after a Windows update

Source: https://support.genymotion.com/hc/en-us/articles/25582157137821-I-get-the-error-Unable-to-start-the-virtual-device-after-a-Windows-update

Published: 2026-05-24

Keywords: Genymotion Desktop, VirtualBox, Windows 11, Unable to start the virtual device

Document ID: https://support.genymotion.com/hc/en-us/articles/25582157137821-I-get-the-error-Unable-to-start-the-virtual-device-after-a-Windows-update#split1

Some major Windows updates, especially with Windows 11, tend to break VirtualBox setup and make Genymotion Desktop no longer usable.

To fix this, uninstall and re-install VirtualBox.

1. Uninstall VirtualBox 2. Reboot your PC 3. Download VirtualBox recommended version installer. You can find it in the following article: VirtualBox recommended versions 4. Re-install VirtualBox 5. Reboot your PC 6. Launch Genymotion and start a device