Why is Hyper-V Not Enabled After a Windows Update?

The message 'Hyper-V Not Enabled' is a common error encountered by users after installing a Windows update. This typically indicates that the Hyper-V feature has been disabled, but several other factors can lead to this issue as well. In this article, we will explore the common causes and detailed solutions to resolve this error.

Common Causes of Hyper-V Not Enabled Error

There are several reasons why Hyper-V might not be enabled:

After a Windows Update: Hyper-V could become disabled due to the update process. Incompatible BIOS Settings: Virtualization settings in the BIOS/UEFI may not be enabled or could have been reverted. Windows Features: Hyper-V might not be properly installed or could have been corrupted during the update. Conflicting Software: Other virtualization software like VMware or VirtualBox could be conflicting with Hyper-V. Corrupted System Files: Essential system files required for Hyper-V might be corrupted or missing. Insufficient Resources: The host machine might not have enough resources (CPU and RAM) allocated to start the virtual machine.

Solutions to Resolve 'Hyper-V Not Enabled' Error

To resolve the issue, you can try the following solutions:

Enable Hyper-V

Open the Control Panel:

- Navigate to Programs > Turn Windows features on or off.

- Check if Hyper-V is enabled. If it is unchecked, check it and restart your computer.

Check BIOS Settings

Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings.

- Ensure that Intel VT-x (for Intel processors) or AMD-V (for AMD processors) is enabled.

Reinstall Hyper-V

Open Powershell as an administrator and run the following command:

powershell - Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-V-All

Restart your computer.

- Then re-enable Hyper-V using the following command:

powershell - Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-V-All

Check for Conflicting Software

If you have other virtualization software installed, consider uninstalling it or disabling any features that might conflict with Hyper-V.

Run System File Checker

Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the following command:

sfc /scannow

This command will scan for and attempt to repair corrupted system files.

Ensure Sufficient Resources

Check your system’s resource allocation and ensure that your machine has enough CPU and RAM available to run the virtual machine.

Update Drivers

Ensure that your system's firmware and drivers, especially for the CPU and motherboard, are up to date.

After trying these solutions, restart your computer and attempt to start the virtual machine again. If the issue persists, consider checking the Event Viewer for logs that might provide more details about the error.