Fix “Hyper-V Hypervisor Is Not Running” Error in Windows: Complete Troubleshooting Guide

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The “Hyper-V Hypervisor Is Not Running” error appears when you try to start a virtual machine in Hyper-V, but the hypervisor component isn’t active. This prevents your virtual machines from launching or functioning properly.

The error occurs because something interrupted the hypervisor’s operation. It could be a Windows update, disabled virtualization in BIOS, incompatible software, or a corrupted Hyper-V installation. The good news: most fixes are straightforward and take minutes.

Let’s get you running again.

Hyper-V Hypervisor Is Not Running

Step 1: Verify Hyper-V Is Installed on Your System

Before troubleshooting, confirm Hyper-V exists on your Windows installation.

For Windows 10 or 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education:

  1. Press Windows Key + R
  2. Type “optionalfeatures” and press Enter
  3. Look for “Hyper-V” in the list
  4. If it has a checkmark, Hyper-V is installed
  5. If the box is empty, click it to install Hyper-V
  6. Click OK and restart your computer when prompted

For Windows 10 or 11 Home Edition:

Hyper-V doesn’t come on Home versions. You’ll need to upgrade to Pro or use alternatives like VirtualBox or VMware Player.

Check if it’s actually running:

  1. Press Windows Key + R
  2. Type “services.msc” and press Enter
  3. Look for “Hyper-V Host Compute Service”
  4. Check if its status says “Running”
  5. If it says “Stopped,” right-click it and select “Start”

Step 2: Enable Virtualization in BIOS

Your CPU has virtualization features that must be turned on. Many systems disable this by default.

How to enter BIOS:

The method varies by manufacturer. Common keys are:

  • Dell: F2 or F12
  • HP: F2 or Del
  • Lenovo: F1 or F2
  • ASUS: Del or F2
  • MSI: Del or F2

Check your computer’s startup screen for the correct key.

What to look for in BIOS:

Look for these options (exact names vary):

  • Intel VT-x or Intel Virtualization Technology
  • AMD-V or AMD SVM Mode
  • Virtualization Technology
  • Virtual Machine Extensions

Enable the option and save changes.

If you can’t find the setting:

  1. Look for a search function in BIOS (usually F3 or Ctrl+F)
  2. Search for “virtualization”
  3. Enable any matching options
  4. Save and exit

Step 3: Disable Hyper-V and Reinstall It

Corrupted installations cause this error frequently. A clean reinstall often fixes it.

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Disable Hyper-V:

  1. Open Optional Features (Windows Key + R, type “optionalfeatures”)
  2. Uncheck the Hyper-V box
  3. Click OK
  4. Restart your computer when prompted
  5. Wait for the restart to complete

Reinstall Hyper-V:

  1. Open Optional Features again
  2. Check the Hyper-V box
  3. Click OK
  4. Let Windows install the components
  5. Restart again

This forces a fresh installation and removes any corruption.

Step 4: Check for Windows Updates and Driver Issues

Outdated or incomplete updates can break Hyper-V.

Update Windows:

  1. Press Windows Key + I to open Settings
  2. Go to Update & Security (or System > About in Windows 11)
  3. Click “Check for updates”
  4. Install any available updates
  5. Restart your computer

Update drivers:

  1. Press Windows Key + R
  2. Type “devmgmt.msc”
  3. Look for devices with yellow warning icons
  4. Right-click any with warnings and select “Update driver”
  5. Choose “Search automatically for drivers”

Out-of-date drivers sometimes conflict with Hyper-V.

Step 5: Disable Conflicting Software

Certain applications prevent Hyper-V from running. These include:

  • Windows Defender Application Guard (if enabled)
  • VirtualBox or VMware on the same system
  • Some antivirus software
  • Docker Desktop (older versions)

Disable Windows Defender Application Guard:

  1. Press Windows Key + R
  2. Type “optionalfeatures”
  3. Uncheck “Windows Defender Application Guard”
  4. Click OK and restart

Uninstall conflicting virtualization software:

  1. Open Control Panel
  2. Go to Programs > Programs and Features
  3. Find VirtualBox, VMware, or Docker Desktop
  4. Click it and select “Uninstall”
  5. Follow the uninstall wizard
  6. Restart your computer

You can reinstall these tools after fixing Hyper-V if needed, but they may not coexist peacefully.

Step 6: Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows has built-in tools to fix update-related issues.

Use the troubleshooter:

  1. Press Windows Key + I
  2. Go to System > Troubleshoot (Windows 11) or Update & Security > Troubleshoot (Windows 10)
  3. Click “Other troubleshooters”
  4. Find and run “Windows Update”
  5. Let it scan and fix issues
  6. Restart when finished

Step 7: Check Event Viewer for Specific Errors

The Event Viewer logs detailed information about what went wrong.

Access Event Viewer:

  1. Press Windows Key + R
  2. Type “eventvwr.msc”
  3. Click “Windows Logs” on the left
  4. Select “System”
  5. Look for errors related to “Hyper-V” or “Virtualization”
  6. Double-click any Hyper-V errors to see details
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These error codes often point to the exact problem. Search the error code online for more targeted solutions.

Step 8: Verify Hardware Compatibility

Not all processors support Hyper-V. Older CPUs lack required features.

Check CPU compatibility:

  1. Download CPU-Z from cpuid.com
  2. Install and run it
  3. Look at the “Instructions” tab
  4. Intel processors need “VT-x” listed
  5. AMD processors need “SVM” listed

If these don’t appear, your CPU doesn’t support Hyper-V. You’ll need a newer computer or use VirtualBox instead.

Check Windows Edition:

Hyper-V requires Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Education. Home editions don’t include it.

Step 9: Repair Hyper-V Using Command Line

Advanced users can force a repair through commands.

Run as Administrator:

  1. Right-click Command Prompt or PowerShell
  2. Select “Run as Administrator”

For Windows 10 and 11:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Let this run fully. It may take several minutes.

Then run:

sfc /scannow

Wait for completion and restart your computer.

These commands fix corrupted system files that Hyper-V depends on.

When to Contact Microsoft Support

Try all steps above first. Contact Microsoft if:

  • You’ve completed every step and the error persists
  • Event Viewer shows hardware-related errors
  • Your CPU doesn’t support virtualization
  • Windows won’t recognize Hyper-V installation

Microsoft Support can run advanced diagnostics and provide specialized help.

Common Causes Summary

CauseSolutionTime to Fix
Virtualization disabled in BIOSEnable VT-x or AMD-V in BIOS settings5-10 minutes
Hyper-V not installedInstall via Optional Features5 minutes
Corrupted Hyper-VUninstall and reinstall10 minutes
Conflicting software runningDisable or uninstall VirtualBox, Docker, etc.5 minutes
Windows update issuesRun Windows Update Troubleshooter10 minutes
Outdated driversUpdate all drivers10 minutes
Unsupported CPUUpgrade to newer processor or use VirtualBoxCannot fix
Wrong Windows editionUpgrade to Pro or EnterpriseVaries

Prevention Tips for the Future

Once fixed, keep Hyper-V running smoothly:

  1. Keep Windows updated – Install updates promptly to avoid corruption
  2. Don’t disable virtualization randomly – Only disable if specifically needed for other software
  3. Monitor BIOS settings – Some updates reset BIOS to defaults, disabling virtualization
  4. Use one virtualization platform – Running VirtualBox and Hyper-V together causes conflicts
  5. Check before major updates – Backup your virtual machines before large Windows updates
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Conclusion

The “Hyper-V Hypervisor Is Not Running” error frustrates users, but it’s fixable in most cases. Start with Step 1 and work through sequentially. Most people solve it within one of the first three steps.

The most common culprits are virtualization disabled in BIOS and corrupted Hyper-V installations. Restart your computer after each major change, as Hyper-V needs a clean boot to activate properly.

If you’ve followed all steps and the error persists, your issue is likely hardware-related or requires professional support. At that point, contact Microsoft Support with details from Event Viewer, and they can provide specialized assistance.

Your virtual machines will run again. This just takes methodical troubleshooting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use VirtualBox instead of Hyper-V?

Yes. VirtualBox is free and works on Windows Home editions. It doesn’t require BIOS changes and runs alongside other software more easily. The trade-off: VirtualBox is slightly slower than Hyper-V for resource-heavy virtual machines.

Why did Hyper-V stop working after a Windows update?

Windows updates sometimes reset BIOS settings or install incompatible drivers. Check your BIOS for disabled virtualization after major updates, and reinstall Hyper-V if needed.

Does Hyper-V slow down my computer when not in use?

No. When no virtual machines run, Hyper-V uses minimal resources. It only activates when you start a virtual machine.

Can I run Docker with Hyper-V enabled?

Modern Docker Desktop works with Hyper-V. Older versions conflicted with it. Update Docker Desktop to the latest version, and ensure Hyper-V is running and enabled.

What’s the difference between Hyper-V and virtualization in BIOS?

Virtualization in BIOS is the CPU feature. Hyper-V in Windows is the software that uses that CPU feature. Both must be enabled for Hyper-V to work. BIOS virtualization is the foundation, and Hyper-V is the tool that builds on it.

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