Parallels 26 VM freezes Windows 11

Discussion in 'Parallels Desktop on a Mac with Apple silicon' started by Rodney4, Mar 23, 2026.

  1. Rodney4

    Rodney4 Bit poster

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    I have been having a problem with my VM running windows 11 freezing. Sometimes a black screen other times, it shows the windows desktop, but the VM does not respond to input. It has been a problem for almost a year. I set-up snapshots, so that if I have an issue I can revert to a previous snapshot, but that only helps sometimes and I still may end up losing something. The only thing that resolves (other than reverting to a snapshot) is a restart of the VM.

    I running parallels on a MacBook Pro with Apple M4 Max, 36 GB, Tahoe 26.2. I typically do not turn off the computer over night, or let it sleep. I have tried suspending the VM or leaving it running.
     
  2. Rodney4

    Rodney4 Bit poster

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    Happened again this morning. I logged into my Mac which already had Parallels/Windows VM running. The VM is frozen. I can see the Windows desktop, but it does not respond to any mouse/keyboard input. I tried to load the previous snapshot, which saved the current state in a new snapshot. The previous snapshot loaded a blank black screen and is not responding to input.

    This is not sustainable. There is clearly a problem with parallels freezing.
     
    AlasdairD likes this.
  3. Rodney4

    Rodney4 Bit poster

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    How is it possible that Parallels does not offer support for a product that is defective unless you purchase a subscription? My VM just prompted me with the following message
    ' "Having issues with your Windows VM?" If your "Windows11" machine appears frozen or shows a black screen, resetting it might help restore functionality. Unsaved changes will be lost" '

    What!? How can this happen every other night. This product has serious problems as does parallels if they don't offer any kind of support without a subscription.
     
  4. Rodney4

    Rodney4 Bit poster

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    Turns out I have a subscription which expires on 8/29/26 for "Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition". Can somebody please help me figure out why my account does not show that I have a subscription? I am entitled to full support.
     
  5. Adarsh Jeetun

    Adarsh Jeetun Staff Member

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    127
    Hello,
    We have created the ticket #56***87 to assist you further.
    Kindly check your mailbox for more details.
    Thank you!
     
  6. ndfan77

    ndfan77 Bit poster

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    How, exactly, does this help other (licensed) users also having this problem?
     
  7. Trishna Oobeyram

    Trishna Oobeyram Staff Member

    Messages:
    472
    Hello @ndfan77
    The reason we created the support ticket is for deeper investigation, and additionally, we request certain logs to identify the root cause.
    Please let us know if you are facing the same issue so that we can assist you.
    Regards,
     
  8. AlasdairD

    AlasdairD Junior Member

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    18
    I am also getting the freezing Windows 11 Virtual machine issue and have been for over a month.
    Sometimes if I leave the Macbook to go into screen lock when using the Windows 11 VM, it then freezes when coming out of hibernation when trying to use Windows 11.
    More recently when i try and start the VM it won't progress beyond the windows logo start screen.
    I have the most up to date MacOS - Tahoe 26.4.1 on a Macbook Air - M1 2020.
    The only way I can resolve is to use "Stop" and then restart the VM, it then starts as normal.
    My Parallels is 26.3.1 (57396)
     
  9. AlasdairD

    AlasdairD Junior Member

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    Any update on this issue ?
     

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