Solving "Failed to Acquire the VirtualBox COM Object" on Mac

Are you getting the dreaded error message 'Failed to Acquire the VirtualBox COM Object' when trying to run a VirtualBox on Mac? Don't worry, we've got you covered. After reading this guide, you should know the causes and solutions of this error message.

What is the VirtualBox COM Object Error?

The VirtualBox COM Object is an error encountered when trying to run VirtualBox on Mac. It occurs when an active COM (Component Object Model) object is not found, preventing the computer from launching the application properly.

What Causes This Error Message?

The VirtualBox COM Object error message is usually triggered by one of the following three common causes:

  1. An outdated, corrupted, or missing version of the VirtualBox application.
  2. An update has been recently applied to OS X and it is not compatible with VirtualBox.
  3. There is conflicting software running on the computer.

How to Fix the VirtualBox COM Object Error on Mac

Fortunately, you can easily fix the VirtualBox COM Object error on Mac by following these steps:

Make sure that you have the latest version of VirtualBox installed. If you don’t, try downloading it and reinstall it on your computer.

If you have recently installed or upgraded OS X, it may conflict with VirtualBox. To fix this, uninstall and then reinstall the application.

Check your list of startup items and disable any programs that may be conflicting with VirtualBox.

  1. Run a clean uninstall and reinstall of VirtualBox. Make sure to remove all relevant files and preferences.

FAQ

What is the VirtualBox COM Object error?

The VirtualBox COM Object is an error encountered when trying to run VirtualBox on Mac. It occurs when an active COM (Component Object Model) object is not found, preventing the computer from launching the application properly.

What causes this error message?

The VirtualBox COM Object error message is usually triggered by one of the following three common causes: an outdated, corrupted, or missing version of the VirtualBox application; an update has been recently applied to OS X and it is not compatible with VirtualBox; or there is conflicting software running on the computer.

How to fix the VirtualBox COM Object error on Mac?

You can fix the VirtualBox COM Object error on Mac by making sure that you have the latest version of VirtualBox installed; if you have recently installed or upgraded OS X, it may conflict with VirtualBox, so try uninstalling and then reinstalling the application; check your list of startup items and disable any programs that may be conflicting with VirtualBox; and run a clean uninstall and reinstall of VirtualBox, making sure to remove all relevant files and preferences.

What should I do if I am still having trouble?

If the steps above do not fix the issue, you may want to check the official VirtualBox support site for more information. You may also want to contact VirtualBox’s customer support team.

Are there any known risks associated with reinstalling VirtualBox?

Yes. When you reinstall VirtualBox, any guest operating systems installed in VirtualBox may no longer be persistent. Your virtual machine files may also be affected. Make sure to backup any files before you reinstall.

Sources

Great! You’ve successfully signed up.

Welcome back! You've successfully signed in.

You've successfully subscribed to Lxadm.com.

Success! Check your email for magic link to sign-in.

Success! Your billing info has been updated.

Your billing was not updated.