Fix BSOD Hypervisor Error in Windows 11

In this post, I will explain why you encounter BSOD Hypervisor error on Windows 11 and discuss the solutions to resolve it. Many Windows 11 users have faced HYPERVISOR_ERROR on their PCs or laptops, and this guide is written to provide you with the most reliable fixes.

While working with multiple VMs, I encountered the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) HYPERVISOR_ERROR on my Windows 11 PC. It’s incredibly frustrating because it appears out of nowhere, leaving you clueless about the cause. To make matters worse, your PC reboots all of a sudden, and all your unsaved work is gone!

A positive aspect of the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is that it shows a stop code error, which is presented in hexadecimal format. While Microsoft provides basic steps to resolve BSOD errors, these solutions may not work effectively for every stop code. In complex cases, you are required to analyze memory dump files to obtain additional information.

What is Hypervisor Error?

The Hypervisor error is a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) that indicates an issue with the virtualization software that manages virtual machines. This error occurs when the Hypervisor malfunctions or crashes, displaying a stop code HYPERVISOR_ERROR with a bug check code value of 0x00020001.

The BSOD Hypervisor error is typically seen on Windows 10/11 computers that either have enabled Hyper-V or using a third-party virtualization software such as VMware workstation.

In the below image, we see the Blue Screen of Death screen with stop code HYPERVISOR_ERROR. The screen displays no additional details beyond this. In my situation, the PC failed to restart automatically, so I had to manually restart it to proceed with troubleshooting.

Review HYPERVISOR_ERROR Memory Dump File

Whenever your device restarts with a HYPERVISOR_ERROR BSOD error, Windows creates a memory dump file. This file contains diagnostic information about the system’s state at the time of the crash, which can be used to analyze and troubleshoot the root cause of the error.

Memory dump files are stored in C:\Windows\Minidump with a .dmp extension. You can use BlueScreenView tool to open and analyze memory dump files.

In the screenshot below, we see that the memory dump file contains a lot of information about the PC BSOD crash. Although all the information presented is important, you need to review the following fields:

• Crash address
• Bug Check Code
• Caused by Driver
• Cause by Address

In my case, the issue is caused by ntoskrnl.exe with bug check value of 0x00020001.

What causes the Hypervisor Error?

The HYPERVISOR_ERROR may appear on Windows PCs due to the following reasons.

1. Hyper-V conflicts: Enabling Hyper-V on your PC may cause conflicts if you also use other virtualization software like VMware or VirtualBox, potentially leading to errors.
2. Unsupported hardware virtualization: If your CPU or motherboard lacks full support for virtualization (like Intel VT-x or AMD-V), the hypervisor might not operate correctly.
3. Outdated or Corrupt Drivers: Outdated, incompatible, or corrupted drivers, particularly for hardware such as GPUs, network adapters, or storage controllers, can cause this error.
4. Incorrect BIOS Settings: Incorrect BIOS configurations can also cause hypervisor errors. If you don’t know what a BIOS setting does, do not enable it.
5. Incompatible Software: Certain third-party antivirus programs or system utilities may disrupt the hypervisor’s functionality. Additionally, using multiple virtualization platforms simultaneously, such as Hyper-V and VMware Workstation, can cause compatibility issues.
6. Corruption of System Files: Corrupted system files in Windows 11 may disrupt the hypervisor’s functionality, resulting in this error.
7. Hardware Incompatibility: Faulty or incompatible hardware, such as a damaged CPU, RAM, or motherboard, can lead to hypervisor malfunctions. Additionally, outdated hardware that lacks full compatibility with Windows 11’s virtualization requirements may also trigger this issue.
8. Overclocking: Overclocking the CPU or GPU can cause system instability, leading to BSOD Hypervisor error. Faulty or unstable RAM can also contribute to this issue.

How to Fix the Hypervisor Error in Windows 11

Now that you understand the causes of hypervisor errors, let’s explore the solutions.

1. Update Drivers and BIOS

Visit the motherboard manufacturer website and check if there are any new drivers released. Most importantly, make sure you update the BIOS to the latest version and also update the drivers for other PC hardware components. In my case, I found out that ASUS released a BIOS update, and after installing it, my system’s stability significantly improved.

You can also right-click Start and launch the device manager to see if any devices are marked with the exclamation point (!). Right-click the device and select Update driver. If updating the driver doesn’t help, try disabling or uninstalling the device.

2. Install the latest Windows Updates

Ensure your Windows 11 system is fully updated with the latest patches. I recommend using Windows Update or a driver management tool to update all drivers, especially those for virtualization-related hardware. To check for updates, select Start > Settings > Windows Update, then select Check for updates.

If you suspect that one of the latest updates has triggered the HYPERVISOR_ERROR on your Windows 11 PC, try removing that update. For instance, the KB5058379 update caused BSOD issues for many users. Try removing these updates and see if it resolves the BSOD hypervisor error.

To remove a specific update from Windows 11 PC, click Start > Settings > Windows Update > Update History > Uninstall Updates. Next to the update, click on Uninstall to remove it. Or you can use PowerShell to uninstall updates.

3. Enable Virtualization in BIOS/UEFI

To fix the hypervisor error BSOD on Windows 11 PC, verify that your CPU and motherboard support virtualization and meet Windows 11 requirements.

Restart your PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings. Look for Virtualization Settings and if your PC supports it, then enable virtualization technology (Intel VT-x or AMD-V). Save the settings and reboot your PC. Hopefully, the hypervisor error should be resolved now.

If you’ve made several changes to the BIOS settings, overclocked CPU or GPU, consider resetting your BIOS/UEFI settings to default to avoid potential misconfigurations.

4. Run System File Checker and DISM Tool

As mentioned earlier, the BSOD Hypervisor Error can also occur due to corrupted system files in Windows 11. To make sure your Windows 11 system files are healthy, open the command prompt with administrator privileges and run the below DISM command. This command scans for corruptions and attempts to restore them using online resources.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Look for the output message: The restore operation completed successfully.

Next, run the sfc /scannow command that scans and repairs corrupt or missing system files. It checks the integrity of all protected system files and attempts to replace them with cached versions if necessary.

5. Eliminate Conflicting Software

Running multiple virtualization platforms simultaneously (e.g., Hyper-V and VMware) can lead to BSOD with HYPERVISOR_ERROR. Pick your virtualization software and remove the redundant ones. In addition, uninstall or disable third-party antivirus software that may conflict with Hyper-V or VMware Workstation.

If you’re using third-party virtualization software, check if there are any critical updates released for the product. Patching these products to the latest version resolves many other issues.

6. Check for Hardware Issues

If your Windows 11 PC frequently crashes with a BSOD Hypervisor Error, interrupting your work, it’s essential to inspect the hardware components for potential issues. Specifically, check the health of the RAM modules, motherboard, and CPU. Problems with hardware components, such as the CPU or RAM, usually cause hypervisor errors.

Use the built-in Windows Memory Diagnostic to test your computer’s RAM for errors. Some motherboard vendors offer a tool to diagnose RAM issues from the BIOS settings. You can identify and fix CPU or motherboard issues with these diagnostic tools.

You can also boot your Windows 11 PC into safe mode to check if the Hypervisor error occurs in safe mode.

7. Repair or Reinstall Hypervisor:

If you’ve tried all the steps mentioned earlier but are still facing the hypervisor error on your Windows 11 PC, consider repairing or reinstalling the hypervisor software. This could involve Hyper-V or VMware Workstation, depending on what you’re using. For Hyper-V, uninstall the Hyper-V role and reinstall it to check if the issue is resolved. Similarly, if you’re using VMware Workstation, uninstall and reinstall the application to see if it resolves the problem.