Docker Desktop - Unexpected WSL error | WSL Distribution docker-desktop is missing

[ToshiNamura]

Description

Hello, I have encountered a problem running docker-desktop. Which I haven't been able to solve for two days now.

Error message:

An unexpected error was encountered while executing a WSL command. Common causes include access rights issues, which occur after waking the computer or not being connected to your domain/active directory.

Please try shutting WSL down (wsl --shutdown) and/or rebooting your computer. If not sufficient, WSL may need to be reinstalled fully. As a last resort, try to uninstall/reinstall Docker Desktop. If the issue persists please collect diagnostics and submit an issue (https://docs.docker.com/desktop/troubleshoot/overview/#diagnose-from-the-terminal).

I have tried all the suggested solutions from: #13273 but it didn't help in any way.

• I have tried with the latest version of Docker Desktop
• I have tried disabling enabled experimental features
• I have uploaded Diagnostics

Error details:

• wsl -l -v --all

    NAME      STATE           VERSION
 * Ubuntu     Stopped        2

• wsl --status

 Default distribution: Ubuntu
 Default version: 2
 The Windows subsystem for Linux was last updated on 12/14/2023
 Automatic WSL updates are enabled.
 Kernel version: 5.10.102.1

• com.docker.diagnose.exe gather LOG:
  com.docker.diagnode.exe.gather.log.txt

• com.docker.diagnose.exe check LOG:
  com.docker.diagnode.exe.check.log.txt

• An important element that I noticed is that the docker system does not create its own distributions: "docker-desktop" and "docker-desktop-data". this is stated in the "com.docker.diagnode.exe.check.log.txt "at the very end:

 Please investigate the following 1 issue:
 1 : The test: are WSL distros installed?
     Failed with: WSL Distribution docker-desktop is missing

• At the same time, the WSL system itself has been updated to the latest version and the distribution works fine: "Ubuntu".

Information

• Windows Version: Windows 10 Pro 64bit 22H2
• Docker Desktop Version: 4.26.0
• WSL2 or Hyper-V backend? WSL2
• Are you running inside a virtualized Windows e.g. on a cloud server or a VM: No

Reproduce

install docker-desktop
run docker-desktop

docker version

Client:
 Cloud integration: v1.0.35+desktop.5
 Version:           24.0.7
 API version:       1.43
 Go version:        go1.20.10
 Git commit:        afdd53b
 Built:             Thu Oct 26 09:08:44 2023
 OS/Arch:           windows/amd64
 Context:           default

docker info

Client:
 Version:    24.0.7
 Context:    default
 Debug Mode: false
 Plugins:
  buildx: Docker Buildx (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v0.12.0-desktop.2
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-buildx.exe
  compose: Docker Compose (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v2.23.3-desktop.2
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-compose.exe
  dev: Docker Dev Environments (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v0.1.0
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-dev.exe
  extension: Manages Docker extensions (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v0.2.21
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-extension.exe
  feedback: Provide feedback, right in your terminal! (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  0.1
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-feedback.exe
  init: Creates Docker-related starter files for your project (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v0.1.0-beta.10
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-init.exe
  sbom: View the packaged-based Software Bill Of Materials (SBOM) for an image (Anchore Inc.)
    Version:  0.6.0
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-sbom.exe
  scan: Docker Scan (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v0.26.0
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-scan.exe
  scout: Docker Scout (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v1.2.0
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-scout.exe

Diagnostics ID

8ebc137b-1e6c-4817-b50f-f8841de18370/20231215201821

[ToshiNamura]

Added:

• I forgot to mention it. Initially, docker-desktop worked fine, but after resetting Windows to factory settings, completely reinstalling the system and cleaning the disks - this problem arose.

[ToshiNamura]

Closed:

• I managed to solve the problem by using the bypass from the comment:
  After update on Docker, WSL 2 does not work correct #13580 (comment)

• The problem was that the WSL was not being updated correctly for some reason, constantly damaging the WSL system files. I downloaded the latest version and installed it from: https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases

• Now everything is working and functioning perfectly!

Thank you very much, n0v1!

[yogesh-debug]

In Windows 10-11
Below steps works for me

1 bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto
2 shutdown /r /t 0

[anhquan911]

Enable hyper v on windows 11. Finally.

[aitechguy0105]

Same Error occured
I followed ToshiNamura's guide, install wsl reinstall docker, but all things didn;t work.
Please help me.

[Nil7x]

@aitechguy0105 Uninstall docker desktop and reinstall it. Uncheck recommended WSL when reinstalling. On my computer, I can successfully open docker desktop, and then check WSL integration in the settings and apply&restart. :)

[sxyy123]

@aitechguy0105卸载docker桌面并重新安装。重新安装时取消选中推荐的 WSL。在我的电脑上，可以成功打开docker桌面，然后在设置中勾选WSL集成并应用并重启。 :)

It works, thank you

[danbran99]

I solved the problem of my side ... I had windows 11 home... I upgraded for windows 11 pro for 100$. I uninstalled and reinstalled all the features related to wsl and it works. I suspect you need a pro version of windows.

[berkay-repos]

Closed:

• I managed to solve the problem by using the bypass from the comment:
  After update on Docker, WSL 2 does not work correct #13580 (comment)
• The problem was that the WSL was not being updated correctly for some reason, constantly damaging the WSL system files. I downloaded the latest version and installed it from: https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases
• Now everything is working and functioning perfectly!

Thank you very much, n0v1!

Updating WSL through the link you provided solved the problem for me too. I've been struggling with this error for so long. Thank you so much! 🙏🙏🙏