Changing the disk driver in SolusVM is an important configuration step that can affect both performance and compatibility of your VPS. VirtIO is recommended for modern systems due to higher performance, while IDE is used for legacy compatibility.
Before You Begin
Before changing the disk driver, ensure the following:
- The VPS is fully backed up or has a snapshot available
- The VPS is powered off
- You know your operating system requirements
- VirtIO drivers are installed (required for Windows systems using VirtIO)
⚠️ Changing the disk controller incorrectly may prevent the VPS from booting.
Disk Driver Types
VirtIO (Recommended)
VirtIO is a paravirtualized driver that provides:
- Higher disk performance
- Lower CPU overhead
- Better scalability for Linux and modern Windows systems
Note: Windows systems require VirtIO drivers to boot successfully.
IDE (Compatibility Mode)
IDE is a legacy disk controller that offers:
- Maximum compatibility with older operating systems
- No additional driver requirements
- Lower performance compared to VirtIO
How to Change Disk Driver in SolusVM
Step 1: Log in to SolusVM Panel
Log in to your SolusVM Master Control Panel and select the VPS you want to modify.
Step 2: Shut Down the VPS
Power off the VPS completely before making any hardware changes.
- Status must be Stopped / Offline
Step 3: Open VPS Configuration
Navigate to:
VPS → Edit Settings / Virtual Machine Configuration
Locate the disk controller or hardware settings section.
Step 4: Select Disk Driver Type
Find the disk driver option and choose one of the following:
- VirtIO – recommended for performance
- IDE – recommended for compatibility
Step 5: Save Changes
Click Save or Apply Configuration to confirm the new settings.
Step 6: Start the VPS
Power on the VPS and verify that the system boots correctly.
Troubleshooting
VPS does not boot after switching to VirtIO
This is usually caused by missing VirtIO drivers.
Solution:
- Switch back to IDE mode
- Or install VirtIO drivers before switching again
Windows VPS boot failure
Windows requires VirtIO drivers to recognize the disk when using VirtIO mode.
No change effect after update
Ensure that:
- VPS was fully powered off before changes
- Settings were saved correctly
- You restarted the VPS after applying changes
Best Practices
- Always take a backup before modifying disk settings
- Use VirtIO for performance-critical workloads
- Use IDE only for legacy or compatibility-required systems
- Test changes on non-production VPS first when possible
Summary
Changing the disk driver in SolusVM is a straightforward process, but it must be done carefully. VirtIO provides better performance and is recommended for modern systems, while IDE ensures maximum compatibility for older operating systems.