Easy Steps To Fix Failed to Start Error in Virtualizor

In this article from Orcacore, we aim to provide a clear solution for the "Failed to Start" error in Virtualizor. This error prevents you from starting (powering on) a Virtual Private Server (VPS) on your server. If you are unable to power on any of your VPS instances on a Virtualizor server, it’s crucial to thoroughly examine all Virtualizor services.

In any service or control panel environment, various issues can disrupt normal functionality. When you encounter a situation where you cannot power on any of your VPS instances on a Virtualizor server, carefully follow the steps outlined below to diagnose and resolve the problem.

Step 1 – When You See the Failed to Start Error in Virtualizor?

This problem typically arises when the server’s network interface experiences a physical disruption. This could be due to someone physically disconnecting the network cable or the need to restart the server from the IPMI console (a cold reboot). Consequently, when attempting to start a VPS, you’ll encounter an error message similar to the one shown below.

[Image of "VPS failed to start Virtualizor – orcacore.com"]

Step 2 – Command to Solve Failed to Start VPS?

Upon encountering the error illustrated above, it’s necessary to examine the Virtualizor services. Connect to the Virtualizor server via SSH. You can use an application like Putty, entering the server’s IP address and port for the connection. If you’re unfamiliar with Putty, refer to articles like "How to Use Putty."

The first step is to initiate the virtnetwork service. Use the following command:

service virtnetwork start

It’s possible that the service might not start on the first attempt. Repeat the command and observe the output, which should resemble the image below.

[Image of "Solve failed to start vps – orcacore.com"]

Step 3 – Try to Power On the VPS

After successfully starting the virtnetwork service, attempt to power on the VPS. If the previous steps were executed correctly, you should see the following confirmation after powering on the VPS.

[Image of "Powering on vps – orcacore.com"]

Step 4 – Check VPS connectivity

Even after the VPS powers on, you might find that you can’t connect to it. This often indicates a problem with the VPS obtaining an IP address. In this case, restart the DHCP service on the Virtualizor server via SSH:

systemctl restart dhcpd

Note: For Windows VPS instances, a restart of the VPS itself might be necessary to obtain an IP address from the DHCP server.

Conclusion

This article provided a step-by-step guide to resolving the "Failed to Start" error in Virtualizor. All commands were clearly described. If you have any questions, please leave a comment on this post. You can also find more articles related to the Virtualizor panel in our Virtualizor Tutorials. Resolving the Failed to Start Error in Virtualizor is crucial for maintaining VPS availability.

Alternative Solutions for the Failed to Start Error in Virtualizor

While the above steps often address the common causes of the "Failed to Start" error, there are alternative approaches and deeper diagnostics that can be employed, particularly when the initial steps don’t resolve the problem. Let’s explore two different ways to troubleshoot and potentially fix this issue. We will also delve into how to solve the Failed to Start Error in Virtualizor in other ways.

Alternative Solution 1: Investigating Virtualization Technology and Resource Availability

Sometimes, the "Failed to Start" error isn’t directly related to the network service, but stems from issues with the underlying virtualization technology or resource constraints on the host server. This is particularly relevant if you have recently made changes to the server’s configuration or upgraded Virtualizor itself.

Explanation:

• Virtualization Technology Check: Verify that the virtualization technology (KVM, Xen, etc.) is properly enabled and functioning. This involves checking the BIOS settings to ensure virtualization is enabled (e.g., Intel VT-x or AMD-V). Also, confirm that the necessary kernel modules are loaded.
• Resource Monitoring: The host server might be experiencing resource exhaustion (CPU, RAM, Disk I/O). Monitor these resources closely to identify bottlenecks. High CPU load, excessive memory usage, or saturated disk I/O can prevent VPS instances from starting.
• Storage Issues: Check the storage where the VPS images are stored. Disk errors, corruption, or insufficient space can cause VPS startup failures.

Code Example:

To check if KVM is enabled, you can use the following command:

lsmod | grep kvm

If KVM is enabled, you should see output indicating the KVM modules are loaded. If no output is returned, KVM might not be enabled in the kernel, requiring further investigation and potentially a kernel module installation. You can also check CPU flags for virtualization support:

cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep vmx

or

cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep svm

If either command returns output, your CPU supports Intel VT-x (vmx) or AMD-V (svm) virtualization, respectively.

To monitor resource utilization, use commands like top, htop, free -m, and iostat. For example, top provides a real-time view of CPU usage, memory usage, and running processes. free -m shows the amount of free and used memory in megabytes. iostat provides information on disk I/O statistics. These commands help identify if resource exhaustion is the root cause of the "Failed to Start" error. Addressing the Failed to Start Error in Virtualizor is crucial.

Alternative Solution 2: Examining Virtualizor Logs and Configuration Files

Virtualizor maintains logs that can provide valuable insights into why a VPS is failing to start. Configuration files might also contain errors or inconsistencies that are preventing the VPS from initializing correctly.

Explanation:

• Log Analysis: Carefully examine the Virtualizor logs, typically located in /usr/local/virtualizor/log/. Look for error messages or warnings related to the VPS that is failing to start. These logs often contain specific details about the failure, such as network configuration errors, disk image problems, or permission issues.
• Configuration File Review: Check the VPS configuration files, usually stored in /usr/local/virtualizor/vps/. These files contain settings related to the VPS’s CPU allocation, memory, disk image paths, and network configuration. Verify that these settings are correct and consistent with the server’s environment.
• Network Configuration: Especially when dealing with network-related errors, carefully examine the network configuration files used by Virtualizor. These files define the network bridges, IP address assignments, and routing rules for the VPS instances. Incorrect or conflicting network settings can prevent a VPS from starting or connecting to the network.

Code Example:

To view the Virtualizor error log, you can use the tail command to display the most recent entries:

tail -f /usr/local/virtualizor/log/error_log

This command will continuously display new entries added to the error log, allowing you to monitor the log in real-time while attempting to start the VPS.

To inspect a VPS’s configuration file (replace VPSID with the actual VPS ID):

cat /usr/local/virtualizor/vps/VPSID/vps.conf

Review the output of this command to ensure all settings are correct, particularly the disk image path, memory allocation, and network configuration. Any discrepancies or errors in these settings should be corrected to resolve the "Failed to Start" error. These steps are very important to solving the Failed to Start Error in Virtualizor.

By employing these alternative solutions, you can broaden your troubleshooting approach and identify the underlying cause of the "Failed to Start" error in Virtualizor, even when the initial steps don’t provide a resolution. Remember to always back up your configuration files before making any changes and to consult the Virtualizor documentation for further assistance.