- Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI setup. (Typically by pressing F2, F10, Del, or a similar key during boot—check your motherboard’s manual.)
- Look for a setting related to virtualization support. It may be labeled:
- AMD-V
- SVM Mode
- Secure Virtual Machine
- Virtualization Technology
- Enable the setting if it is disabled.
- Save your changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI.
Tip: Some systems have multiple virtualization-related options. Make sure they are all set to “Enabled” if there’s more than one.
- After enabling AMD-V in BIOS, shut down your computer (not just a restart) to ensure all changes take effect.
- Wait a few seconds, then power the system back on.
This full “power cycle” is sometimes necessary for virtualization settings to be recognized, especially if you just enabled them in BIOS.
If you have an older BIOS version or suspect a firmware bug:
- Visit your motherboard or system manufacturer’s website.
- Check for a BIOS update that mentions improvements or fixes for virtualization or CPU features.
- Update to the latest version (follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully).
Sometimes, Microsoft Hyper-V (or other virtualization features) can interfere with VMware accessing AMD-V. On Windows 10 or 11, you may need to disable conflicting components:
-
Disable Hyper-V (if installed):
- Go to Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off
- Uncheck “Hyper-V” (both “Hyper-V Management Tools” and “Hyper-V Platform”)
- Click OK and restart.
-
Disable additional virtualization features:
- In the same “Turn Windows features on or off” dialog:
- Uncheck “Virtual Machine Platform”
- Uncheck “Windows Hypervisor Platform”
- Click OK and restart.
- In the same “Turn Windows features on or off” dialog:
-
Disable Memory Integrity (Core Isolation) if applicable:
- Open Windows Security > Device Security > Core isolation details
- Toggle Memory Integrity off if it’s on.
- Restart your system.
Most modern AMD CPUs have AMD-V (SVM). However, if your CPU is quite old, double-check that it supports hardware virtualization:
- Check your CPU’s model (e.g., via Task Manager > Performance tab or CPU-Z).
- Look up your CPU specifications on the manufacturer’s site to confirm AMD-V or SVM support.
- Launch VMware Player again.
- Try powering on the virtual machine.
If AMD-V is now enabled and there are no other conflicts, the VM should start without the previous error.
- Enable AMD-V (SVM) in BIOS/UEFI and power-cycle.
- Disable Hyper-V and any other conflicting virtualization features in Windows.
- Update BIOS if out of date.
- Check that your CPU supports AMD-V.
Following the above steps typically resolves the "AMD-V is disabled" error and allows VMware Player to run your virtual machines successfully.