Many users attempting to install Windows 11 using UTM encounter the error message, “Display output is not active.” This issue prevents the virtual machine from displaying any output, effectively halting the installation process. In this guide, we’ll explore the common causes of this error and provide step-by-step solutions to resolve it, so you can successfully complete your Windows 11 installation.
What Causes the “Display Output is Not Active” Error?
This error usually occurs due to incorrect configuration in UTM or compatibility issues between the virtual machine and the Windows 11 ISO. Some of the common causes include:
- Improper display hardware settings in UTM.
- Using the wrong type of virtual machine configuration (e.g., emulation instead of virtualization).
- Missing or incorrect SPICE Guest Tools and QEMU drivers.
- An incompatible or corrupted Windows 11 ISO file.
- Insufficient system resources allocated to the virtual machine.
Solutions to Fix the “Display Output is Not Active” Error
1. Verify UTM Configuration
Ensure that your UTM virtual machine is set up correctly to support Windows 11 installation.
- Open UTM and navigate to the settings for your Windows 11 virtual machine.
- Go to the System tab and ensure that:
- Architecture: ARM64 (if using Apple silicon).
- Machine: QEMU ARM Virtual Machine or similar.
- In the Display tab, set the display device to Virtio GPU.
2. Allocate Adequate Resources
Ensure your virtual machine has sufficient system resources to run Windows 11.
- Assign at least:
- 4GB of RAM
- 2 CPU cores
- 64GB of storage
To adjust these settings, open the System tab in the virtual machine configuration and modify the values under RAM and CPU.
3. Install SPICE Guest Tools and QEMU Drivers
The absence of SPICE Guest Tools and QEMU drivers is a frequent cause of display errors. Follow these steps to install them:
- Download the SPICE Guest Tools and QEMU Drivers from the official UTM Windows Guide.
- Mount the downloaded ISO to the virtual machine:
- Go to the Drives tab in the UTM settings.
- Click Add New and select the SPICE Guest Tools ISO.
- Boot into the virtual machine and open the SPICE Guest Tools installer.
- Complete the installation and restart the virtual machine.
4. Check the Windows 11 ISO
An incompatible or corrupted Windows 11 ISO can cause display issues. Follow these steps to ensure you’re using a valid ISO:
- Download the latest Windows 11 ISO file from the official Microsoft website.
- If you’re using an Apple silicon Mac (M1, M2, M3), ensure the ISO is ARM-compatible.
- Verify the file integrity by checking the file size and comparing the checksum with Microsoft’s official values.
5. Enable Display Output in Boot Settings
If the issue persists, you might need to adjust the boot settings for your virtual machine:
- Open the UTM settings and navigate to the Boot tab.
- Ensure that the display output is set to EFI Boot.
- Reboot the virtual machine and check if the issue is resolved.
6. Update UTM to the Latest Version
Outdated versions of UTM may have compatibility issues with the latest Windows 11 builds. Download the latest version of UTM from the official site:
7. Recreate the Virtual Machine
If none of the above solutions work, consider recreating the virtual machine from scratch:
- Delete the existing VM and create a new one using the correct settings.
- Follow the official UTM guide for Windows to ensure proper configuration.
Conclusion
The “Display output is not active” error can be frustrating, but it is often caused by misconfigurations or missing drivers. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can resolve the issue and successfully install Windows 11 using UTM. For more detailed instructions, refer to the UTM Windows guide or watch the full YouTube tutorial. Happy troubleshooting!