Windows Sandbox failed to start due to configuration issues, not a bug; 1. Enable virtualization in BIOS/UEFI (Intel VT-x or AMD-V); 2. Turn on required Windows features: Virtual Machine Platform, Windows Hypervisor Platform, and Windows Sandbox; 3. Ensure Hyper-V components are enabled via PowerShell if needed; 4. Check group policies to confirm Windows Sandbox isn’t disabled, especially on domain-joined PCs; 5. Run the built-in Windows Sandbox troubleshooter; 6. Temporarily disable conflicting software like antivirus or other hypervisors; 7. Install pending Windows updates; 8. Test Sandbox via command line or .wsb file for error details; if all steps fail, check Event Viewer for container or hypervisor errors, but most cases are resolved by enabling virtualization and correct Windows features.
Windows Sandbox is a lightweight, temporary desktop environment that helps you safely run untrusted applications. If you're seeing "Windows Sandbox failed to start," there are several common causes — mostly related to system settings, virtualization, or Windows features. Here’s how to fix it step by step.

? 1. Enable Virtualization in BIOS/UEFI
Windows Sandbox relies on hardware virtualization (Intel VT-x or AMD-V). If it's disabled in your BIOS/UEFI, the sandbox won't start.
How to check and enable:

- Restart your PC and enter BIOS/UEFI (usually by pressing F2, F10, Del, or Esc during boot — depends on your system).
- Look for settings like:
- Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
- AMD-V
- SVM Mode (on AMD systems)
- Virtualization Technology (general term)
- Make sure it’s Enabled.
- Save and exit.
? After enabling, boot into Windows and verify virtualization is active:
- Press Ctrl Shift Esc to open Task Manager.
- Go to the Performance tab > CPU.
- Check that "Virtualization: Enabled" appears in the bottom-right.
? 2. Turn on Windows Features Required for Sandbox
Sandbox depends on specific Windows features. If they’re not enabled, it won’t start.

Enable these features:
- Open Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off.
- Make sure the following are checked:
- ? Virtual Machine Platform
- ? Windows Hypervisor Platform
- ? Windows Sandbox (if available)
- Click OK and restart your PC.
? Note: On some Windows 10/11 editions (e.g., Home), Windows Sandbox may not be available. It’s only supported on:
- Windows 10/11 Pro
- Windows 10/11 Enterprise
- Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
If you’re on Windows Home, Sandbox isn’t supported — consider alternatives like Hyper-V VMs or third-party tools.
? 3. Ensure Hyper-V is Running (if applicable)
Even though Sandbox doesn’t require full Hyper-V, it uses underlying hypervisor components.
- Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:
Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-V-All
- If it's disabled, enable it:
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-V-All -NoRestart
- Reboot after enabling.
? 4. Check Group Policies (Especially on Work or Domain PCs)
If you're on a work computer or domain-joined device, group policies might block Sandbox.
Check local policy:
- Press Win R, type
gpedit.msc
, and press Enter.(Note:
gpedit
isn't available on Windows Home.) - Navigate to:
- Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Sandbox
- Make sure "Turn off Windows Sandbox" is set to Disabled or Not Configured.
If it's Enabled, that’s why Sandbox won’t start.
? 5. Run Sandbox Troubleshooter
Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter for common app issues.
- Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters
- Run the Windows Sandbox troubleshooter if available.
It may detect and fix misconfigurations automatically.
? 6. Check for Conflicting Software
Some security or virtualization software can interfere:
- Antivirus tools (especially aggressive ones like Kaspersky, Bitdefender)
- Other hypervisors (e.g., VMware, VirtualBox) — they sometimes lock virtualization access
Try:
- Temporarily disable third-party antivirus
- Close VMware/VirtualBox completely
- Reboot and try Sandbox again
? 7. Verify Windows is Up to Date
Outdated system components can cause Sandbox to fail.
- Go to Settings > Windows Update
- Install all pending updates
- Restart if needed
Microsoft often pushes fixes for container and virtualization issues through updates.
? 8. Manually Start Sandbox via Command Line (for Diagnostics)
Try launching Sandbox from PowerShell to see error messages:
windows-sandbox
Or create a simple .wsb
file to test:
<Configuration> <VGpu>Enable</VGpu> <Networking>Enable</Networking> </Configuration>
Save it as test.wsb
, then double-click to run. This can reveal specific errors.
Summary: Quick Checklist
- [ ] Virtualization enabled in BIOS
- [ ] Windows Sandbox feature turned on
- [ ] Virtual Machine Platform & Hypervisor Platform enabled
- [ ] Using Windows Pro/Enterprise (not Home)
- [ ] No blocking group policies
- [ ] No conflicting software running
- [ ] System up to date
If you’ve gone through all these and it still fails, check Event Viewer under:
Windows Logs > Application/System — look for errors related to
Containers
orHypervisor
.
But for most users, enabling virtualization and the right Windows features solves the issue.
Basically, it’s not a bug — it’s usually a config issue. Fix the prerequisites, and Sandbox should start normally.
The above is the detailed content of How to fix Windows Sandbox failed to start. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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