In this study, a model for dynamic instability of embedded single-walled carbon nanotubes(SWCNTs) is presented. SWCNTs are modeled by the sinusoidal shear deformation beam theory(SSDBT). The modified couple stress theory(MCST) is considered in order to capture the size effects. The surrounding elastic medium is described by a visco-Pasternak foundation model, which accounts for normal, transverse shear, and damping loads. The motion equations are derived based on Hamilton’s principle. The differential quadrature method(DQM) in conjunction with the Bolotin method is used in order to calculate the dynamic instability region(DIR) of SWCNTs. The effects of different parameters, such as nonlocal parameter, visco-Pasternak foundation, mode numbers,and geometrical parameters, are shown on the dynamic instability of SWCNTs. The results depict that increasing the nonlocal parameter shifts the DIR to right. The results presented in this paper would be helpful in design and manufacturing of nano-electromechanical system(NEMS) and micro-electro-mechanical system(MEMS). In this study, a model for dynamic instability of embedded single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is presented. SWCNTs are modeled by the sinusoidal shear deformation beam theory (SSDBT). The modified couple stress theory (MCST) is considered in order to capture The size effects. The surrounding elastic medium is described by a visco-Pasternak foundation model, which accounts for normal, transverse shear, and damping loads. The motion equations are derived based on Hamilton’s principle. The differential quadrature method (DQM) in conjunction with the Bolotin method is used in order to calculate the dynamic instability region (DIR) of SWCNTs. The effects of different parameters, such as nonlocal parameter, visco-Pasternak foundation, mode numbers, and geometrical parameters, are shown on the dynamic instability of SWCNTs . The results depict that increasing the nonlocal parameter shifts the DIR to right. The results presented in this paper would be helpful in design and manufacturing of nano- electromechanical system (NEMS) and micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS).