Whonix XFCE for VirtualBox users prior build version 15.0.1.7.3: Storage Controller Setting Change Required (Failed to open a session for the virtual machine) (NS_ERROR_FAILURE (0x80004005))

Patrick · April 27, 2021, 5:40pm

Affected Versions

Whonix for VirtualBox build version lower than 15.0.1.7.3 → Virtual (VM) Storage Controller settings change required.
Whonix for VirtualBox build version 15.0.1.7.3 (and higher) → no change required since fix is included.

Failed to open a session for the virtual machine

NS_ERROR_FAILURE (0x80004005)

Whonix VirtualBox does not start until setting is changed.

This issue was introduced between VirtualBox 6.1.18 and 6.1.20.
(virtualbox.org skipped, never released VirtualBox 6.1.19.)

Therefore before (or after) upgrading recommended VirtualBox version to 6.1.20 the settings change required.

Wiki page recommended VirtualBox version takes precedence for version recommendations.

This forum thread is closed to avoid duplication. Use above forum discussion instead.