Incorrect kernel driver version

Oct 13, 2025 by leolavanderia.com.br 122 views

How to Fix modprobe vboxdrv (modprobe: ERROR: could not insert 'vboxdrv': Key was rejected by service)

Are you experiencing issues with VirtualBox on your Linux system? If you're getting an error message like "modprobe: ERROR: could not insert 'vboxdrv': Key was rejected by service" when trying to start a Windows 11 virtual machine, you're not alone. This error is often caused by a missing or incorrectly configured kernel driver. In this article, we'll guide you through the steps to fix the modprobe vboxdrv error and get VirtualBox up and running on your Linux system.

The error message "modprobe: ERROR: could not insert 'vboxdrv': Key was rejected by service" indicates that the VirtualBox Linux kernel driver is either not loaded or not set up correctly. This driver is essential for VirtualBox to function properly, as it allows the virtual machine to interact with the host system's hardware. When the driver is missing or misconfigured, VirtualBox will not be able to start, and you'll see this error message.

There are several reasons why you might be experiencing this error. Some common causes include:

Missing kernel driver: The VirtualBox Linux kernel driver might not be installed or might be missing from the system.
Incorrect kernel driver version: The kernel driver version might be outdated or incompatible with the VirtualBox version.
Kernel module not loaded: The kernel module for the VirtualBox driver might not be loaded, or it might be loaded incorrectly.
Service not running: The VirtualBox service might not be running, or it might be running with incorrect permissions.

To fix the modprobe vboxdrv error, follow these steps:

Step 1: Reinstall VirtualBox

First, try reinstalling VirtualBox using the package manager. This will ensure that the kernel driver is installed correctly.

sudo apt-get install --reinstall virtualbox

Step 2: Load the Kernel Module

Next, try loading the kernel module for the VirtualBox driver. You can do this using the following command:

sudo modprobe vboxdrv

If the module is loaded correctly, you should see a message indicating that the module has been loaded.

Step 3: Check the Kernel Module Version

Make sure that the kernel module version is compatible with the VirtualBox version. You can check the kernel module version using the following command:

sudo modinfo vboxdrv

This will display information about the kernel module, including its version.

Step 4: Check the Service Status

Verify that the VirtualBox service is running and has the correct permissions. You can check the service status using the following command:

sudo systemctl status vboxdrv

If the service is not running, start it using the following command:

sudo systemctl start vboxdrv

Step 5: Reboot the System

Finally, reboot the system to ensure that the kernel module is loaded correctly.

sudo reboot

If you're still experiencing issues after following the above steps, try the following troubleshooting tips:

Check the kernel version: Make sure that the kernel version is compatible with the VirtualBox version.
Check the kernel module dependencies: Verify that the kernel module dependencies are correct.
Check the service configuration: Verify that the service configuration is correct.
Check the log files: Check the log files for any error messages related to the VirtualBox driver.

The modprobe vboxdrv error is a common issue that can be caused by a missing or incorrectly configured kernel driver. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to fix the error and get VirtualBox up and running on your Linux system. Remember to check the kernel module version, service status, and log files to troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

For more information on VirtualBox and Linux kernel drivers, check out the following resources:

VirtualBox documentation: The official VirtualBox documentation provides detailed information on installing and configuring VirtualBox on Linux systems.
Linux kernel documentation: The official Linux kernel documentation provides detailed information on kernel modules and drivers.
Stack Overflow: The Stack Overflow community provides a wealth of information on VirtualBox and Linux kernel drivers.

If you're experiencing issues with VirtualBox on your Linux system, you may also want to check out the following related articles:

How to install VirtualBox on Linux: This article provides a step-by-step guide to installing VirtualBox on Linux systems.
How to configure VirtualBox on Linux: This article provides a step-by-step guide to configuring VirtualBox on Linux systems.
How to troubleshoot VirtualBox on Linux: This article provides a step-by-step guide to troubleshooting VirtualBox on Linux systems.
VirtualBox on Linux: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) =====================================================

VirtualBox is a popular virtualization software that allows you to run multiple operating systems on a single Linux host machine. However, like any complex software, VirtualBox can be prone to errors and issues. In this article, we'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about VirtualBox on Linux.

A: VirtualBox is a free and open-source virtualization software that allows you to run multiple operating systems on a single Linux host machine. It provides a virtual environment for each guest operating system, allowing you to run multiple operating systems simultaneously.

A: The system requirements for VirtualBox are:

Linux host machine (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, CentOS, etc.)
64-bit processor (x86-64 or AMD64)
2 GB of RAM (4 GB or more recommended)
10 GB of free disk space (20 GB or more recommended)
VirtualBox software (available for download from the official VirtualBox website)

A: To install VirtualBox on Linux, follow these steps:

Download the VirtualBox software from the official VirtualBox website.
Run the installation script using the following command: sudo ./VBoxLinuxAdditions.run
Follow the installation prompts to complete the installation process.

A: To create a new virtual machine in VirtualBox, follow these steps:

Launch the VirtualBox software.
Click on the "New" button to create a new virtual machine.
Select the operating system you want to install (Windows, Linux, macOS, etc.).
Choose the virtual machine name and location.
Set the virtual machine settings (CPU, RAM, disk space, etc.).
Click on the "Create" button to create the virtual machine.

A: To install an operating system on a virtual machine in VirtualBox, follow these steps:

Launch the VirtualBox software.
Select the virtual machine you want to install the operating system on.
Click on the "Start" button to start the virtual machine.
Follow the installation prompts to install the operating system.

A: To configure the network settings for a virtual machine in VirtualBox, follow these steps:

Launch the VirtualBox software.
Select the virtual machine you want to configure the network settings for.
Click on the "Settings" button to access the virtual machine settings.
Select the "Network" tab.
Choose the network adapter type (NAT, Bridged, Host-only, etc.).
Configure the network settings as needed.

A: To troubleshoot issues with VirtualBox on Linux, follow these steps:

Check the VirtualBox logs for error messages.
Check the Linux system logs for error messages.
Check the VirtualBox documentation for troubleshooting guides.
Search online for solutions to common issues.

A: To uninstall VirtualBox on Linux, follow these steps:

Launch the VirtualBox software.
Click on the "Help" menu.
Select the "Uninstall" option.
Follow the uninstallation prompts to complete the uninstallation process.

VirtualBox is a powerful virtualization software that allows you to run multiple operating systems on a single Linux host machine. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about VirtualBox on Linux. Remember to check the VirtualBox documentation and online resources for more information on troubleshooting and configuring VirtualBox on Linux.