VMWGFX seems to be running on an unsupported hypervisor [Fix]

Learn how to fix VMWGFX seems to be running on an unsupported hypervisor commonly seen in Ubuntu or Debian-based machines running on VirtualBox in just four steps easily. A screenshot of the error is shown below for your reference:

“VMWGFX Unsupported Hypervisor or Failure.”
This error typically occurs because VirtualBox isn’t fully compatible with the VMware graphics driver that Ubuntu (a Debian-based machine) is attempting to use. This may happen after a kernel upgrade that causes compatibility issues with the hypervisor.

Solution

Step 1: Power Off the Virtual Machine

Shut down your Ubuntu virtual machine completely. This ensures you can safely modify its settings without issues.

Step 2: Open Virtual Machine Settings

Select your Ubuntu virtual machine in VirtualBox that has the problem: “VMWGFX seems to be running on an unsupported hypervisor” and then click on the Settings Icon as shown below:

Step 3: Adjust Display Settings

1. Navigate to the Display section in the settings menu.
2. Under the Screen tab:
   • Set the Graphics Controller to VBoxSVGA. If it’s set to something else, like VMware-compatible drivers, this is likely causing the issue.
   • Increase the Video Memory for better performance. (Be cautious; setting it too high might cause your system to freeze.)

Step 4: Boot the Virtual Machine Again

Save your settings and start the virtual machine. Ubuntu should now boot without displaying the error.

Why Choose Ubuntu on a VPS?
If running Ubuntu on VirtualBox isn’t cutting it for you, consider trying it on a VPS. Running Ubuntu on a VPS can provide:
1. Better performance.
2. No compatibility issues like the one above.
3. Round-the-clock availability.
Check out the latest Ubuntu VPS options here to see if a VPS might be the right fit for your needs.

By following these simple steps, you should have resolved the VMW GFX Failure or Unsupported Hypervisor Error in VirtualBox.