VirtualBox NS_ERROR_FAILURE (0x80004005) macOS

Question

I'm using macOS and installed VirtualBox.

When I start a machine, I'm getting the following error :

Failed to open a session for the virtual machine ubuntu.  The virtual machine 'ubuntu' has terminated unexpectedly during startup with exit code 1 (0x1).  Result Code: NS_ERROR_FAILURE (0x80004005) Component: MachineWrap Interface: IMachine {85cd948e-a71f-4289-281e-0ca7ad48cd89} 

Answer 1

This error seems to appear with VirtualBox installs on versions of macOS 10.13.

To fix this issue, you have to uninstall VirtualBox (use the VirtualBox_uninstall.tool of the VirtualBox downloaded dmg).

Then, install it again executing VirtualBox.pkg. At the end of the install, go to System Preferences, Security and Privacy, and the click the allow button :

This should solve your issue.

Answer 2

Here is what worked for me. I kept getting that error when I was trying to 'add' the ISO after clicking start on the VM to set it up.

However, when I clicked on 'Tools' on the left sidebar, then click "Media". From there I was able to add my Kali Linux ISO so when I started the VM again, the ISO showed up in the list.