(SOLVED) virtualbox error - Kernel driver not installed (rc=-1908)

Discussions related to using VirtualBox on Linux hosts.
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fantomframe
Posts: 23
Joined: 26. Aug 2020, 01:22

(SOLVED) virtualbox error - Kernel driver not installed (rc=-1908)

Post by fantomframe »

Hello,
I have a new install of Ubuntu 20.04.1 LTS, I installed vitualbox and created a virtual harddrive.
When I press start to continue the process I get this error,

Kernel driver not installed (rc=-1908)
The VirtualBox Linux kernel driver is either not loaded or not set up correctly. Please reinstall virtualbox-dkms package and load the kernel module by executing

'modprobe vboxdrv'

I have reinstalled virtualbox-dkms and used the above command and nothing, I just get,

modprobe: ERROR: could not insert 'vboxdrv': Operation not permitted

From what I have read I think it has something to do with EFI Secure Boot enabled, but not sure.
Can someone point me in the right direction?

Thanks

Solution
I used the install method provided here on virtualbox.org,
did away with the ubuntu software install.
Last edited by fantomframe on 28. Aug 2020, 22:16, edited 1 time in total.
scottgus1
Site Moderator
Posts: 20945
Joined: 30. Dec 2009, 20:14
Primary OS: MS Windows 10
VBox Version: VirtualBox+Oracle ExtPack
Guest OSses: Windows, Linux

Re: virtualbox error - Kernel driver not installed (rc=-1908)

Post by scottgus1 »

fantomframe wrote:I have reinstalled virtualbox-dkms
I have very little experience in Linux, but I have read that Official Virtualbox from https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Linux_Downloads does not use dkms anymore. So you're likely getting the fork of Virtualbox provided by the Linux distro. Linux gurus have typically wanted folks using the fork to switch to official Virtualbox.

Also try googling the error with site:forums.virtualbox.org added, as this error has arisen before.
fantomframe
Posts: 23
Joined: 26. Aug 2020, 01:22

Re: virtualbox error - Kernel driver not installed (rc=-1908)

Post by fantomframe »

Thanks
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