0x80370003 VM_E_HYPERVISOR_NOT_PRESENT — Windows Error Code

Q: What does the Windows error code 0x80370003 mean?

It is the Win32 / NTSTATUS code VM_E_HYPERVISOR_NOT_PRESENT (decimal -2144927741). The hypervisor is not running. Check that virtualization is enabled in BIOS/UEFI.

Q: How do I decode 0x80370003 in PowerShell?

Run [ComponentModel.Win32Exception]::new(-2144927741).Message in any PowerShell session. For HRESULT-style codes, use err.exe from the Windows SDK or the WinDbg !error command.

Q: Where does Windows typically log this error?

It depends on the originating subsystem (Windows Update → %WinDir%\WindowsUpdate.log; AD/Kerberos → Security event log on the DC; BSOD → minidump under C:\Windows\Minidump; MSI → %TEMP%\msi*.log; WMI → Microsoft-Windows-WMI-Activity). Always cross-reference the timestamp and module name with the Application and System event logs.

Description

VM_E_HYPERVISOR_NOT_PRESENT (hex code 0x80370003, decimal -2144927741) is a Windows error-level error code in the Hyper-V Errors family. Microsoft surfaces this code through the Win32 API, the Common Language Runtime, the kernel, the event log, PowerShell, command-line tools (sfc, dism, gpupdate, sc), and Windows-side applications such as Outlook, Teams, Office, and System Center.

The hypervisor is not running. Check that virtualization is enabled in BIOS/UEFI.

This page documents what triggers 0x80370003, the most common scenarios where it appears, the likely root causes, and a step-by-step troubleshooting workflow you can run against affected endpoints. It is intended for system administrators, MSP technicians, helpdesk engineers, and anyone diagnosing Windows behavior in a managed environment.

In-depth explanation

This is an error-severity code. Windows uses it to signal a failed operation that prevented the caller from completing its work. The underlying cause can range from a permissions or quota issue to a corrupted system component, missing dependency, or unreachable service.

It is part of the Hyper-V error space. It surfaces in Hyper-V Manager, Get-VM / Start-VM output, and the Hyper-V-Worker / Hyper-V-VMMS event log.

The code can be looked up programmatically in PowerShell with [ComponentModel.Win32Exception]::new(-2144927741).Message (for Win32 / NTSTATUS codes that map cleanly), or with net helpmsg <decimal> for the legacy decimal range. For HRESULT-style codes, decode the facility and code with err.exe from the SDK or via the WinDbg !error command.

Common causes

Hypervisor not enabled in BIOS/UEFI (Intel VT-x or AMD-V missing).
Hyper-V role removed or partially uninstalled.
Insufficient memory or CPU resources to start the VM.
VHD/VHDX file locked, on a non-NTFS volume, or path access denied.
Differencing or checkpoint chain broken — reconnect the parent VHD.

Troubleshooting steps

Confirm hardware virtualization is enabled in BIOS/UEFI (Get-ComputerInfo > HyperVRequirementVirtualizationFirmwareEnabled).
Verify the Hyper-V role is fully installed: Get-WindowsFeature *Hyper-V* on Server, or Get-WindowsOptionalFeature on client editions.
Check VM configuration with Get-VM and Get-VMHardDiskDrive — VHD path must exist and be accessible.
Inspect the Hyper-V-Worker and Hyper-V-VMMS event logs around the failure timestamp.
If the VM refuses to start due to memory, lower the startup RAM or enable Dynamic Memory.

Decode in PowerShell

# Decode 0x80370003 (-2144927741) in PowerShell
[ComponentModel.Win32Exception]::new(-2144927741).Message

# Or via WinDbg / err.exe (Windows SDK)
# err 0x80370003

# Or net helpmsg (legacy decimal range only)
# net helpmsg <decimal>

Frequently asked questions

What does the Windows error code 0x80370003 mean?

It is the Win32 / NTSTATUS code VM_E_HYPERVISOR_NOT_PRESENT (decimal -2144927741). The hypervisor is not running. Check that virtualization is enabled in BIOS/UEFI.

How do I decode 0x80370003 in PowerShell?

Run [ComponentModel.Win32Exception]::new(-2144927741).Message in any PowerShell session. For HRESULT-style codes, use err.exe from the Windows SDK or the WinDbg !error command.

Where does Windows typically log this error?

It depends on the originating subsystem (Windows Update → %WinDir%\WindowsUpdate.log; AD/Kerberos → Security event log on the DC; BSOD → minidump under C:\Windows\Minidump; MSI → %TEMP%\msi*.log; WMI → Microsoft-Windows-WMI-Activity). Always cross-reference the timestamp and module name with the Application and System event logs.

Is this code recoverable?

Critical-severity codes usually require kernel-level investigation (driver, hardware, system file repair). Error and warning codes are typically recoverable through the troubleshooting workflow on this page — start with the elevated-shell + log review steps.

Should I open a Microsoft support case for this?

Open a case if the error reproduces after applying the troubleshooting steps, particularly if it blocks production workloads, occurs across multiple endpoints, or is associated with a security boundary (BitLocker recovery, Kerberos failure, DCOM hardening, SmartScreen / WDAC). Have a fresh CBS log, minidump, or Get-WinEvent export ready before opening the case.