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Fixing VirtualBox Error: VERR_VM_DRIVER_VERSION_MISMATCH (-1912)

Learn how to fix VirtualBox error VERR_VM_DRIVER_VERSION_MISMATCH (rc=-1912) on Windows. Step-by-step guide to resolve driver mismatch, Hyper-V conflicts, and installation issues.

oracle configurationintermediate

by OracleDba

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What Is the VirtualBox rc=-1912 Error?

This error indicates a version mismatch between VirtualBox application files and its kernel drivers installed on Windows . In simple words: - VirtualBox UI belongs to one version - VirtualBox drivers loaded by Windows belong to another version Because of this mismatch, VirtualBox fails to start any virtual machine .

Technical Meaning of the Error

- → Runtime initialization of VirtualBox - → Driver incompatibility error - → Kernel driver and user-space binary versions differ VirtualBox relies heavily on kernel-level drivers , and Windows blocks execution if versions don’t match.

Code/Command (click line numbers to comment):

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RTR3InitEx failed with rc=-1912
VERR_VM_DRIVER_VERSION_MISMATCH

1️⃣ Incomplete VirtualBox Installation

- Installation interrupted - Driver permission denied during install

2️⃣ VirtualBox Updated Without Reboot

- Old drivers still loaded in memory

3️⃣ Windows Update Conflict

- Windows updates overwrite or disable drivers

4️⃣ Hyper-V Enabled on Windows

- Hyper-V conflicts with VirtualBox kernel drivers

5️⃣ Multiple VirtualBox Versions Installed

- Leftover files from older installations

STEP 1: Completely Uninstall VirtualBox

- Press Windows + R - Type - Uninstall Oracle VM VirtualBox - Restart your system > ⚠️ Restart is mandatory to unload old drivers ⚠️ Restart is mandatory to unload old drivers

STEP 2: Remove Leftover VirtualBox Files (Very Important)

After reboot, manually delete remaining folders: Delete Program Files: Delete User Configuration: These folders often contain old driver references .

Code/Command (click line numbers to comment):

C:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox
C:\Program Files (x86)\Oracle\VirtualBox

%USERPROFILE%\.VirtualBox

STEP 3: Disable Hyper-V and Related Features

VirtualBox cannot work properly with Hyper-V enabled . - Press Windows + R - Type - Uncheck the following: Hyper-V Virtual Machine Platform Windows Hypervisor Platform Windows Sandbox - Hyper-V - Virtual Machine Platform - Windows Hypervisor Platform - Windows Sandbox - Click OK - Restart system

STEP 4: Verify Hardware Virtualization (BIOS)

- Open Task Manager - Go to Performance → CPU - Check: If disabled: - Enter BIOS (F2 / F10 / DEL) - Enable Intel VT-x or AMD-V

Code/Command (click line numbers to comment):

Virtualization: Enabled

STEP 5: Install VirtualBox Correctly

- Download latest stable VirtualBox from Oracle website - Right-click installer → Run as Administrator - Allow all driver installation prompts - Complete installation - Restart system

Verify the Fix

- Open VirtualBox - Start any VM - Error rc=-1912 should be resolved If VM starts normally, drivers are correctly loaded 🎉

▶ Check Loaded Drivers

Open Command Prompt (Admin): Expected state:

Code/Command (click line numbers to comment):

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sc query vboxdrv

STATE: RUNNING

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Fixing VirtualBox Error: VERR_VM_DRIVER_VERSION_MISMATCH (-1912)

What Is the VirtualBox rc=-1912 Error?

Technical Meaning of the Error

Code/Command (click line numbers to comment):

1️⃣ Incomplete VirtualBox Installation

2️⃣ VirtualBox Updated Without Reboot

3️⃣ Windows Update Conflict

4️⃣ Hyper-V Enabled on Windows

5️⃣ Multiple VirtualBox Versions Installed

STEP 1: Completely Uninstall VirtualBox

STEP 2: Remove Leftover VirtualBox Files (Very Important)

Code/Command (click line numbers to comment):

STEP 3: Disable Hyper-V and Related Features

STEP 4: Verify Hardware Virtualization (BIOS)

Code/Command (click line numbers to comment):

STEP 5: Install VirtualBox Correctly

Verify the Fix

▶ Check Loaded Drivers

Code/Command (click line numbers to comment):

▶ Repair Installation

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