Repository navigation
Error: qemu-system-x86_64: QXL VGA not available #640
Description
When running ./basic i get this error: qemu-system-x86_64: QXL VGA not available
Using arch
I have never done virtualization. This is my first time learning and doing.
This is my basic.sh
#!/bin/bash
OSK="ourhardworkbythesewordsguardedpleasedontsteal(c)AppleComputerInc"
VMDIR=$PWD
OVMF=$VMDIR/firmware
#export QEMU_AUDIO_DRV=pa
#QEMU_AUDIO_DRV=pa
qemu-system-x86_64 \
-enable-kvm \
-m 10G \
-machine q35,accel=kvm \
-smp 4,cores=6 \
-cpu Penryn,vendor=GenuineIntel,kvm=on,+sse3,+sse4.2,+aes,+xsave,+avx,+xsaveopt,+xsavec,+xgetbv1,+avx2,+bmi2,+smep,+bmi1,+fma,+movbe,+invtsc \
-device isa-applesmc,osk="$OSK" \
-smbios type=2 \
-drive if=pflash,format=raw,readonly=on,file="$OVMF/OVMF_CODE.fd" \
-drive if=pflash,format=raw,file="$OVMF/OVMF_VARS-1024x768.fd" \
-vga qxl \
-device ich9-intel-hda -device hda-output \
-usb -device usb-kbd -device usb-mouse \
-netdev user,id=net0 \
-device e1000-82545em,netdev=net0,id=net0,mac=52:54:00:c9:18:27 \
-device ich9-ahci,id=sata \
-drive id=ESP,if=none,format=qcow2,file=ESP.qcow2 \
-device ide-hd,bus=sata.2,drive=ESP \
-drive id=InstallMedia,format=raw,if=none,file=BaseSystem.img \
-device ide-hd,bus=sata.3,drive=InstallMedia \
-drive id=SystemDisk,if=none,file=MyDisk.qcow2 \
-device ide-hd,bus=sata.4,drive=SystemDisk \
Activity
overtonightdev commentedon May 31, 2025
The error:
means that QEMU was compiled without QXL VGA device support (which is typically used with SPICE). This often happens on minimal QEMU builds, such as the ones found on Arch Linux by default.
✅ Solution
You have two options:
Option 1: Use a Different VGA Device
Replace:
with a more compatible option, such as:
or
Both are widely supported and should work fine for macOS virtual machines (though
vmwaremight offer slightly better graphical support).Option 2: Install QEMU with QXL Support
You can install QEMU with QXL support via AUR (e.g.
qemu-full):Or if you’re not using AUR, you can build QEMU yourself with the
--enable-spiceand--enable-qxlflags.However, for learning and simplicity, Option 1 is much easier and sufficient.
💡 Bonus: Common VGA Options for QEMU
vga std– Standard VGAvga vmware– VMware-compatible VGAvga virtio– Requires virtio driversvga none– No display-display none– No display at all✅ Recommended Minimal Fix
Change this line in your script:
to:
Then run
./basicagain. It should start up without theQXL VGA not availableerror.