Critical error when starting the virtual machine on Mac OS X

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Symptoms

After upgrading Parallels Desktop for Mac, I receive the following error message:

    The virtual machine cannot be started due to a critical error.

Resolution

  1. Quit Parallels Desktop.

  2. Open Activity Monitor.app and make sure that prl_disp_service process is quitted. If not, click the cogwheel icon > select Quit.

  3. Open Parallels Desktop and start the virtual machine.

NOTE: If the instructions above do not help, reinstall Parallels Desktop application. Download the installation image of your Parallels Desktop version here: 10, 11, 12

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