When trying to install the extension package in VirtualBox, you may get a VERR_VERSION_MISMATCH error due to compatibility issues. In this post, we will see what to do if VBoxExtPackRegister returned VERR_VERSION_MISMATCH in VirtualBox.
Fix VBoxExtPackRegister returned VERR_VERSION_MISMATCH in VirtualBox
The error message indicates that there is a disparity between the extension and VirtualBox versions. This can be because either of them is outdated or the extension installed has some corrupted files prohibiting the upgrade.
If you get VBoxExtPackRegister returned VERR_VERSION_MISMATCH in VirtualBox, follow the solutions mentioned below.
- Restart Oracle VirtualBox
- Update VirtualBox and the Extension Pack
- Install the latest version of the Extension Pack
- Delete the ExtensionPacks
- Reinstall Oracle VirtualBox
Let us talk about them in detail.
1] Restart Oracle VirtualBox
Sometimes VirtualBox is unable to register the changes that you have made without a restart. So, before going for a solution, you need to reboot your application and then check if the issue is resolved.
2] Update VirtualBox and the Extension Pack
First of all, we are going to update VirtualBox to its latest version. For that, you need to open Oracle VirtualBox and then navigate to File > Check for Updates. It will check if an update is available for the VirtualBox client or the extension package and then prompt you to download it. Click on the Download button when prompted. Once the download is complete, you will be asked to click on the Install button and agree to their terms and conditions, so, do that, and then restart VirtualBox.
3] Install the latest version of the Extension Pack
Sometimes VirtualBox fails to install the correct extension pack or even recognizes that a package already exists. In that case, we are going to download a new instance of the Extension Pack from their official website and install it. Follow the steps mentioned below to do the same.
- Open a browser and navigate to virtualbox.org.
- Look for the VirtualBox Extension Pack and then download the latest version of the Extension Pack.
- Once done, open VirtualBox and navigate to Files > Tools > Extension Pack Manager.
- Select the problematic package and click on Uninstall.
- Once it’s removed, click on Install, navigate to the path where you have downloaded the package, and select it.
It will install, hopefully, without any errors.
4] Delete the ExtensionPacks
If you are facing issues with the installation of the VirtualBox extension, try deleting the folder where these extensions are installed and then retry the installation. By default, the ExtensionPacks folder is located at C:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox. Therefore, you will need to delete this folder and then reboot your computer. Once done, you can go ahead and install the latest ExtensionPack.
5] Reinstall Oracle VirtualBox
If all else fails, your last resort is to reinstall Oracle VirtualBox as the app might be corrupted. So go ahead and uninstall VirtualBox completely. Once the application is removed, you need to download a fresh copy and then install it.
Hopefully, you will be able to resolve the issue using the solutions mentioned above.
Read: VirtualBox Interface has active connections message when shutting down
How do I install Extpack in VirtualBox?
To install an extension pack in the VirtualBox, you need to open the hypervisor application and navigate to File > Tools > Extension Package Manager. Then click on the Install icon, go to the path where the Extension pack is stored, and then add it.
Read: Fix VirtualBox Installer Installation failed error
Do I need VirtualBox extension pack?
Installing the VirtualBox Extension Pack unlocks additional functionalities that enhance the virtualization experience, such as improved USB device support, disk encryption, and remote desktop access.
Also Read: Unable to install Guest Additions in VirtualBox.
