A virtual machine start method and apparatus is presented, where the method includes determining N types of virtualized network function components (VNFCs) according to a first service; obtaining a distribution relationship between the N types of VNFCs and virtual machines, where the distribution relationship indicates a quantity of each type of VNFC distributed in each virtual machine; selecting at least one to-be-started virtual machine from unstarted virtual machines according to the distribution relationship, so that a total quantity of each type of VNFC included in a started virtual machine and the at least one to-be-started virtual machine meets a corresponding preset quantity; and starting the at least one to-be-started virtual machine. In the present disclosure, types and a quantity of VNFCs running on each virtual machine are first obtained.