How to fix Kernel driver not installed error in VirtualBox ?

The “Kernel driver not installed (rc=-1908)” error in VirtualBox on macOS occurs when the VirtualBox kernel extensions (kexts) fail to load, often due to macOS security restrictions, incomplete installation, or permission issues.

This prevents VMs from starting, displaying messages like “VERR_VM_DRIVER_NOT_INSTALLED (-1908)” or “Make sure the kernel module has been loaded successfully.”

Below, I’ll provide a step-by-step guide to fix this error, followed by a detailed process to install VirtualBox on macOS while avoiding common errors like this one.

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Step by Step Fixing “Kernel Driver Not Installed (rc=-1908)” Error

Step 1: Verify VirtualBox Installation

• Check Version:
• Open VirtualBox > VirtualBox menu > About VirtualBox. Note the version (e.g., 7.0.14).
• Ensure it matches the latest from virtualbox.org (7.0.x as of April 6, 2025).
• Reinstall if Needed:
• If outdated or corrupted, uninstall and reinstall (see Step 2).

Step 2: Uninstall and Reinstall VirtualBox

• Uninstall:
• Quit VirtualBox.
• Download the VirtualBox Uninstaller from virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads (under “Uninstallation”).
• Run VirtualBox_Uninstall.tool from Terminal: sudo /path/to/VirtualBox_Uninstall.tool
  • Enter admin password. Confirm removal.
• Reinstall:
• Download the latest .dmg from virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads (e.g., VirtualBox-7.0.14-xxx-OSX.dmg).
• Open .dmg, run VirtualBox.pkg, and follow prompts (see Installation Guide below for details).

Step 3: Allow Kernel Extensions in Security Settings

• Why: macOS blocks unsigned kexts since Sierra (10.12).
• Check System Settings:
• After installation, if prompted with “System software from developer ‘Oracle America, Inc.’ was blocked,”:
  • Go to System Settings (or System Preferences) > Privacy & Security (or Security & Privacy) > General.
  • Look for “System software from ‘Oracle America, Inc.’ was blocked” > Click Allow.
• If no prompt appears:
  • Reboot your Mac.
  • Reinstall VirtualBox—watch for the prompt.
• Manual Approval (if Needed):
• Open Terminal: sudo spctl kext-consent add VB5E2TV963
  • VB5E2TV963 is Oracle’s Team ID for VirtualBox kexts.
  • Reboot after running.

Step 4: Load Kernel Extensions Manually

• Check Kext Status:
• Run:
  kextstat | grep -i virtualbox
• If no output, kexts aren’t loaded.
• Load Kexts:
• Run:
  sudo kextload /Library/Application\ Support/VirtualBox/VBoxDrv.kext sudo kextload /Library/Application\ Support/VirtualBox/VBoxNetAdp.kext sudo kextload /Library/Application\ Support/VirtualBox/VBoxNetFlt.kext sudo kextload /Library/Application\ Support/VirtualBox/VBoxUSB.kext
• Enter admin password.
• Verify:
• kextstat | grep -i virtualbox should now list loaded kexts (e.g., org.virtualbox.kext.VBoxDrv).

Step 5: Fix Permissions

• Why: Incorrect permissions can block kext loading.
• Repair:
• Run:
  sudo chown -R root:wheel /Library/Application\ Support/VirtualBox/ sudo chmod -R 755 /Library/Application\ Support/VirtualBox/
• Reboot: Restart your Mac.

Step 6: Test the VM

• Start VM:
• Open VirtualBox, select your VM (e.g., “Windows 11 VM”), and click Start.
• Success: If it boots without the error, the fix worked.

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Installing VirtualBox on macOS Without Common Errors

Here’s how to install VirtualBox cleanly to avoid the “Kernel driver not installed (rc=-1908)” and similar issues.

Step 1: Download VirtualBox

• Source: virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads.
• File: Select “macOS hosts” > Download the latest .dmg (e.g., VirtualBox-7.0.14-xxx-OSX.dmg).

Step 2: Pre-Install Checks

• Disable Gatekeeper (Temporary):
• Open Terminal:
  sudo spctl --master-disable
• This avoids initial blocks—re-enable later.
• Check macOS Version:
• Apple menu > About This Mac. VirtualBox 7.0.x supports 10.15+ (Catalina to Sequoia).

Step 3: Install VirtualBox

• Run Installer:
• Open the .dmg, double-click VirtualBox.pkg.
• If blocked:
  • System Settings > Privacy & Security > Open Anyway.
  • Or Terminal:
    sudo xattr -r -d com.apple.quarantine /path/to/VirtualBox.dmg
• Follow Prompts:
• Click Continue, agree to terms, install to default location (/Applications).
• Allow Extensions:
• During install, if “System Extension Blocked” appears:
  • Click Open Security Preferences > Allow for “Oracle America, Inc.”.
• If missed, see Step 3 in the fix above.

Step 4: Post-Install Setup

• Re-enable Gatekeeper:
• sudo spctl --master-enable
• Launch VirtualBox:
• Open from /Applications. Create a test VM to confirm it starts.

Step 5: Avoid Common Errors

• SIP (System Integrity Protection):
• Don’t disable SIP—it’s not required and risks security. VirtualBox works with SIP enabled since version 6+.
• Updates:
• After macOS updates, re-allow kexts in Privacy & Security if prompted.
• Permissions:
• Ensure /Library/Application Support/VirtualBox/ is owned by root:wheel (use chown/chmod if needed).

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Troubleshooting

• Error Persists:
• Reboot after each fix step.
• Check logs:
  sudo dmesg | grep -i virtualbox
• Look for kext load failures—repeat Step 4.
• Apple Silicon (M1/M2):
• VirtualBox ARM support is experimental. If issues persist, use Parallels or UTM instead.
• Old macOS:
• On 10.13/10.14, use VirtualBox 6.1.x—newer versions may fail.

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Notes

• Why It Happens: macOS tightened kext security in macOS. VirtualBox needs explicit approval.
• Intel vs. Apple Silicon: Intel Macs have full support; Apple Silicon VMs are less stable for non-ARM OSes.
• Your Context: If installing Windows 11 (per earlier question), ensure VM settings match (4GB RAM, EFI enabled).