Introduction
Running Kali Linux in VirtualBox can sometimes result in a black screen after boot. This issue is common among new Linux users and is usually caused by virtualization conflicts, BIOS/UEFI settings, or display initialization problems. This guide will help you quickly resolve the issue and get your virtual machine running.
Prerequisites
Before following this guide, make sure you have the following:
- VirtualBox is installed on your Windows host machine.
- Kali Linux ISO or a preconfigured VM image is ready.
- Basic familiarity with VirtualBox and Linux commands (login, terminal commands).
- System requirements: at least 2–4 GB of RAM and 128 MB of video memory allocated to the VM.
- VT-x / AMD-V is enabled in your system BIOS for virtualization support.
Note: Ensuring these prerequisites are met will help avoid errors while applying the solutions in this guide.
Outline:
- Overview
- Common Causes
- Solution 1: Disable Hyper-V
- Solution 2: Start the Graphical Interface Manually
- Additional Recommendations
- Conclusion
- Glossary
Overview
Running Kali Linux in VirtualBox can sometimes result in a blank or black screen after boot, often displaying messages like “data leak mitigation” before freezing. This issue is common among new Linux users and can be frustrating, but it is usually caused by virtualization conflicts, BIOS/UEFI settings, or display initialization problems
This guide explains the most common causes of the black screen issue and provides two proven solutions to get Kali Linux running again.
Common Causes of the Black Screen Issue
Before jumping into fixes, it’s important to understand what may be causing the problem:
Virtualization conflict between VirtualBox and Windows Hyper-V
BIOS/UEFI virtualization misconfiguration
Display manager or X-server not starting properly
Low system resources (RAM, disk space, or graphics memory)
In most cases, the issue is not permanent and does not mean your Kali installation is corrupted.
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Solution 1: Disable Hyper-V from Windows (Recommended)
Windows Hyper-V can conflict with VirtualBox and prevent Kali Linux from booting correctly, resulting in a black screen.
Steps
Open the Start Menu, search for Command Prompt
Right-click it and select Run as Administrator
Enter the following command:
bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off
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- Press Enter
-
Restart your computer
After rebooting, open VirtualBox, start your Kali Linux VM, and check if the issue is resolved.
If the black screen persists, proceed to the second solution.
Solution 2: Start the Graphical Interface Manually
Sometimes Kali Linux boots successfully but fails to start the graphical desktop environment. In this case, you can manually launch the X server.
Steps
1. Start your Kali Linux virtual machine in VirtualBox
- When the black screen appears, press:
Ctrl + Alt + F1 -
Log in using your Kali username and password
-
Once logged in, run the following command:
sudo startx
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After that, this command manually starts the graphical desktop.
If the desktop loads successfully, you may restart Kali Linux to confirm the fix. Either you restart or start Kali Linux.
Additional Recommendations
Ensure VT-x/AMD-V is enabled in your system BIOS
Allocate sufficient resources to Kali Linux:
At least 2–4 GB RAM
128 MB video memory
Use VMSVGA as the graphics controller in VirtualBox
Keep VirtualBox and Extension Pack versions matched
Conclusion
A blank black screen in Kali Linux running on VirtualBox is a common issue, especially for beginners. In most cases, it is caused by virtualization conflicts or display initialization failures, not by a broken installation.
By disabling Hyper-V and manually starting the graphical interface, you can resolve the issue quickly and get back to learning and practicing cybersecurity.
Glossary
Terms & Definition:
- VirtualBox: A free virtualization software that allows you to run virtual machines on your computer.
- Kali Linux: A Linux distribution designed for penetration testing and cybersecurity tasks.
- VM (Virtual Machine): A software-based emulation of a computer that runs an operating system in an isolated environment.
- Hyper-V*A: Windows feature that enables virtualization and can conflict with VirtualBox.*
- VT-x / AMD-V*CPU: CPU virtualization technologies allow virtual machines to run efficiently.*
- X server/Display manager: Software that handles the graphical desktop environment in Linux.
- ISO file: disk image file containing the operating system installation.
- Black screen issue: When a virtual machine boots, but the display does not load properly, showing a blank or black screen.