Parallels Desktop Not Starting? Fixes That Work

If Parallels Desktop won’t start on your Mac, the cause is usually a leftover background process, a corrupted preferences file, or a macOS update that broke the kernel extension. You can fix most cases by quitting all Parallels processes, resetting the app’s preferences, and reinstalling the latest version from the official website.

Why Parallels Desktop Fails to Launch

Parallels Desktop is a virtualization app that lets you run Windows and other operating systems on a Mac without rebooting. It relies on a privileged helper tool and a kernel extension (or a virtualization framework on newer Apple silicon Macs) to create and manage virtual machines. When any of these components is missing, outdated, or blocked by macOS security, the app may appear to “bounce” in the Dock and then quit, or it may show an error message like “Parallels Desktop cannot be started because the Parallels service is not running.”

Common triggers include:

• macOS system updates that replace or disable the Parallels kernel extension
• An incomplete Parallels update that leaves old files behind
• Corrupted preference files (e.g., com.parallels.desktop.plist)
• Conflicts with other virtualization software (VirtualBox, VMware Fusion, Docker)
• Insufficient disk space or permissions on the Parallels folder

Quick Fixes to Try First

Before diving into deep troubleshooting, try these simple steps. They solve a surprisingly large number of “won’t start” cases.

1. Restart your Mac. This clears temporary files and stops any stuck Parallels processes.
2. Check for a Parallels update. Open the app if you can; if not, download the latest installer from the official Parallels website and run it. The installer will repair missing components.
3. Make sure your Mac meets the system requirements. Parallels Desktop 20 requires macOS Monterey 12.0 or later, and Apple silicon Macs need macOS 12.0 or later as well. Older versions may not run on the latest macOS.
4. Disable any VPN or security software temporarily. Some network filters and endpoint protection tools block Parallels’ helper tool.

Kill Stuck Parallels Processes

If the app icon bounces but nothing happens, a background process from a previous session is likely stuck. Here’s how to clear it:

1. Open Activity Monitor (in /Applications/Utilities).
2. In the search box, type “parallels”.
3. Select every process with “parallels” in the name (e.g., Parallels Desktop, Parallels Service, prl_disp_service).
4. Click the X button and choose Force Quit.
5. If they don’t quit, open Terminal and run: sudo pkill -9 parallels. Enter your admin password when prompted.

After killing all processes, try launching Parallels again. If it still fails, move on to resetting preferences.

Reset Parallels Preferences

Corrupted preference files are a frequent culprit. Resetting them does not delete your virtual machines—it only resets app settings like window positions and update checks.

1. Quit Parallels Desktop completely.
2. In Finder, press Cmd+Shift+G and go to ~/Library/Preferences/.
3. Look for files named com.parallels.desktop.plist and com.parallels.desktop.plist.lockfile.
4. Move them to the Desktop (or trash) instead of deleting them, so you can restore them if needed.
5. Also go to ~/Library/Preferences/Parallels/ and move any .plist files there to the Desktop.
6. Relaunch Parallels. It will create fresh preference files.

If the app starts now, you can later delete the old plist files. If it still doesn’t start, the problem is likely deeper.

Reinstall Parallels Desktop

A clean reinstall fixes missing or corrupted app files. Here’s the proper way to do it without losing your virtual machines:

1. Back up your virtual machines: go to ~/Parallels/ and copy the entire folder to an external drive or cloud storage.
2. Quit Parallels and drag the app from /Applications to the Trash.
3. Open Terminal and run sudo rm -rf /Library/Parallels to remove the system-level helper files. Enter your password.
4. Also remove the user-level folder: rm -rf ~/Library/Preferences/Parallels (this only removes settings, not your VMs).
5. Download the latest Parallels Desktop installer from the official website and run it.
6. When prompted, allow the system extension in System Settings > Privacy & Security.
7. After installation, move your virtual machines back to ~/Parallels/ if you moved them.

Apple Silicon vs. Intel Macs

The fix differs slightly depending on your Mac’s chip. On Intel Macs, Parallels uses a kernel extension that macOS may block after an update. You can re-enable it in System Settings > Privacy & Security by clicking “Allow” next to the blocked extension. On Apple silicon Macs, Parallels uses Apple’s Virtualization framework, so there is no kernel extension. Instead, the app needs to be updated to a version that supports your macOS version. If you have an Apple silicon Mac and Parallels won’t start, check that you’re running Parallels Desktop 18 or later—older versions do not work on M1/M2/M3 Macs.

When Nothing Works

If you’ve tried all the above and Parallels still won’t start, there are a few remaining possibilities:

• macOS is too new or too old. Parallels releases updates for each major macOS version. If you just upgraded macOS, you may need to wait for a Parallels update or install an older macOS on a separate volume.
• Another app is conflicting. Try launching Parallels in Safe Mode (restart your Mac and hold the Shift key). If it starts in Safe Mode, a third-party login item is the cause. Check System Settings > General > Login Items and disable suspicious items.
• Your virtual machine files are corrupted. If the app starts but a specific VM fails to open, that’s a different issue. You can try right-clicking the VM in the Finder and choosing “Show Package Contents”, then look for a .pvm file and double-click it.
• Contact Parallels support. If you have a valid license, their support team can run diagnostics. If you don’t, the Parallels community forums have many threads with solutions for specific macOS versions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting Parallels preferences delete my Windows virtual machine?

No. Your virtual machines are stored in ~/Parallels/ as .pvm files. Resetting preferences only removes app settings like window layouts and update preferences. Your Windows installation and files remain untouched.

Why does Parallels show “Parallels Desktop cannot be started because the Parallels service is not running”?

This error usually means the Parallels helper tool (which runs as root) failed to install or was blocked by macOS. The fix is to reinstall Parallels and then go to System Settings > Privacy & Security and click “Allow” for the Parallels system extension. On Apple silicon, make sure you’re running a version that supports your macOS.

Can I run Parallels Desktop on an M1/M2/M3 Mac?

Yes, but you need Parallels Desktop 18 or later. Earlier versions were built for Intel Macs and will not run on Apple silicon. Also, Windows 11 ARM edition is supported, but some Windows apps may not work if they require x86 emulation.

Is there a free alternative to Parallels Desktop?

Yes, VirtualBox is free and open-source, but it’s less polished and slower. On Apple silicon, VirtualBox has limited support. Apple’s own “Boot Camp” works only on Intel Macs. For a free option on Apple silicon, you can try UTM, which is based on QEMU and supports ARM Windows.

Why does Parallels crash after a macOS update?

macOS updates often change security policies, which can block Parallels’ kernel extension or helper tool. Always update Parallels to the latest version before updating macOS if possible. If you already updated, reinstall Parallels and allow the system extension in Privacy & Security.

How do I know if my Mac is compatible with Parallels Desktop?

Check the Parallels website for the system requirements for the version you want. Generally, you need a Mac with at least 4GB of RAM (8GB recommended) and enough free disk space for the virtual machine. For Apple silicon, you need macOS 12.0 or later.

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