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SOLVED: macOS VMware Virtual Machine won't start, stuck in a boot loop
SOLVED: macOS VMware Virtual Machine is stuck in a boot loop. Check the VMware workstation log and install the latest version of macOS Unlocker.
Problem: macOS VM wont start, stuck in a boot loop
macOS VMware Virtual Machine is stuck in a boot loop. The Apple logo appears but macOS won't load and the VM automatically restarts.
VMware workstation 17, Windows 11
Troubleshooting steps:
Check the VMware workstation log
Check the VMware workstation log for errors
C:\Users\Username\Documents\Virtual Machines\VM-Name\vmware.log
In this case, we saw the following errors in the log:
vmx GuestRpcSendTimedOut: message to toolbox-dnd timed out
vcpu-0 Chipset: The guest has requested that the virtual machine be hard reset
vcpu-0 DEVICE: Resetting device 'ALL'.
vcpu-1 SMC_Open: Unable to open MacHALDriver: 0x00000002.
vcpu-1 SMC_Open: Unable to open MacHALDriver: 0x00000002
This error indicates an issue with the Mac Hardware Abstraction Layoer (HAL) driver. This is a core driver that allows the macOS VM to work with the VMware virtual hardware so this is most likely the reason it wont boot up.
Solution: Reinstall or update macOS Unlocker
Reinstalling or updating macOS unlocker should fix the HAL driver problem.
When I had this issue, reinstalling the same version of macOS unlocker fixed it. If that doesnt work, try updating macOS unlocker to the latest version.
Close VMware workstation
Download and install the latest version of macOS unlocker from GitHub
https://github.com/paolo-projects/unlocker/releases
The macOS VM now boots up OK
Comments 9
I have tried this with updating the unlocker, but I think it is the same version I already had.
I have a snapshot with it up and running, but when I reboot it does the perpetual showing the Apple logo and then restarting over and over.
I am running VMWare Workstation 17 and I am trying to work with MacOS Monterey.
Here is what I think is the relevant snippet from the VMWare log:
2022-12-21T14:54:52.331Z Wa(03) vmx Can't set WSS, error 1314
2022-12-21T14:54:52.331Z In(05) vmx VerificationOfHostParameters status 1
2022-12-21T14:54:52.331Z Wa(03) vmx VMX can't verify host parameters.
2022-12-21T14:54:52.332Z In(05) vmx FeatureCompat: No EVC masks.
The fix for me using VMWare Worsktation 17 was to download the latest unlocker which is version 4 from here:
https://github.com/DrDonk/unlocker
Great, glad you got it working
Definitely cannot get Ventura working without a reboot loop though, and after scouring the internet I can see that it seems to be impossible. (With Ryzen processor)
Hi again, my host machine has an Intel processor. Unfortunately, I don’t have an AMD machine to do any testing with. Sorry I cant be of more help
same problem
Thanks for you hard work!!! This works for me and cured my major headache!
Hey, glad you got it working!
Hi,
What a life saver! I got a new laptop. I brought the vmware player 17 and vms from old machine's backup. The hardware had changed, so I had to repair the vmware player. But I didn't re-apply the patch. That caused the bootloop with the guest osX requesting a hard reset. I was about to abandon the vm instance. But a last minute googling led me to this article. I repatched the player and everything is hunky dory. :-) Yaay !!
Thank you so much!
-Ninad
[Mr Ninad Chitre]