Kernel Panic Not Syncing Attempted to Kill Init is an error message that appears on VirtualBox guest machines when the initialization process fails. For users who are relatively new to VirtualBox and are using windows, this error message can be confusing. In this guide, we will understand what this error means, why it happens and how to fix it.
What Does Kernel Panic Not Syncing Attempted to Kill Init mean?
It's an error message that appears on the virtual machine's console when it fails to properly initialize. At the first stage of initialization, the kernel tries to sync up with the hardware of the guest machine but if it fails then this message appears.
Why Does This Error Happen?
This message pops up when the kernel is not able to successfully communicate with the hardware components of the guest machine or if any of the drivers are missing or corrupt. This is a common issue that can happen in different scenarios like:
- Installing a new virtual machine on the Windows Operating System.
- Upgrading a virtual machine to a newer version.
- Trying to run an old version of a guest OS on a new version of hardware.
How to Fix the Kernel Panic Not Syncing Attempted to Kill Init Error in VirtualBox?
The first step is to try and check if all the drivers on the host OS are up to date. This means that you should install all Windows updates and upgrade the drivers, if needed. After this is done, you can try one of the following solutions that can help in fixing the error:
Option 1: Change the Version of the Guest OS
This is the most common solution that can help in fixing the Kernel Panic Not Syncing Error in VirtualBox. You can try switching the guest OS version to other supported versions or upgrading it to the latest version. This will ensure compatibility with the hardware.
Option 2: Install the Appropriate Additions
The addition components of a virtual machine need to be installed and updated on a regular basis. You need to check if all the components of the VirtualBox add-ons are installed and up to date. The steps for installing the VirtualBox additions are different for different guest operating systems.
Option 3: Try to Reinstall / Reset the Guest OS
In certain cases, it may be possible to try and reset the guest OS. This can be done by running the installation process again. This may fix any errors related to the kernel and resolve the issue.
FAQ
Q1: What is the cause of the Kernel Panic Not Syncing Error in VirtualBox?
The main cause of this error is when the kernel is not able to communicate with the hardware components of the guest machine or if any of the drivers are missing or corrupt.
Q2: How to avoid the Kernel Panic Not Syncing Error in VirtualBox?
The best way to avoid this error is to keep all drivers on the host OS up to date. You should also ensure that the VirtualBox additions components are installed and updated on a regular basis.
Q3: What is the best way to fix the Kernel Panic Not Syncing Error in VirtualBox?
The best way to fix this error is to try installing the latest version of the guest operating system or upgrading it to the latest version. You should also try to reinstall the guest OS if needed.
Q4: What should I do if I get the Kernel Panic Not Syncing Error in VirtualBox?
The first step is to try and check if all the drivers on the host OS are up to date. Then, you can try switching the guest OS version to other supported versions or upgrading it to the latest version. Lastly, you can try to reinstall/reset the guest OS to try and fix the issue.
Q5: What are the VirtualBox Addition components?
The VirtualBox addition components are the Guest Additions package that need to be installed on the guest OS. These components include the video, audio and networking drivers that need to be installed and updated on a regular basis.