Error after update to 2.0.9.0, even reinstall fails: Error code: Wsl/CallMsi/E_ABORT

[sh-at-bergnet-de]

Windows Version

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.19044.3693]

WSL Version

2.0.9.0

Are you using WSL 1 or WSL 2?

• WSL 2
• WSL 1

Kernel Version

No response

Distro Version

No response

Other Software

No response

Repro Steps

WSL didn't start today, The Microsoft Store told me that an update was installed.

I tried repair, reset and deinstal + Windows Restart + new Install

Expected Behavior

WSL starts and works as it did for month.

Actual Behavior

WSL does not start,

If I start the Powershell as Admin and use wsl --status it tells me that WSL is finishing an upgrade. After a short time (~half second) it fails with (Exitcode: 1603).
Error code: Wsl/CallMsi/E_ABORT

Diagnostic Logs

No response

[github-actions]

Hi I'm an AI powered bot that finds similar issues based off the issue title.

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Closed similar issues:

• File missing after command "wsl --update" showing "WSL is finishing an ugrade... Update failed (exit code:1603) Error code:Wsl/CallMsi/E_ABORT" (#10651), similarity score: 0.80
• Cannot run WSL after update to 2.0.0 (#10530), similarity score: 0.77
• Can't update wsl2 Error : 0x80041002 (#5278), similarity score: 0.75

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[MikolajGolowski]

Same issue. Even more frustrating that I didn't request any update from microsoft. Everything was working fine until I rebooted my PC.

[jack-volantautonomy]

Also having the same issue. Completed a windows update overnight and this morning had some other issues so decided to do a complete uninstall and reinstall of WSL and Ubuntu and now my WSL is stuck in this state. Any command such as wsl --status, wsl --install, and wsl --version but I get this same message regardless.

[MikolajGolowski]

For me it went from the message above to
Class not registered
Error code: Wsl/CallMsi/REGDB_E_CLASSNOTREG_
after couple of restarts.

[leonardoaraujodf]

Same issue here.
My PC automatically updated today, after that I'm having this issue.
In a command prompt with elevated privilegies if I run:

C:\Users\lam>wsl
WSL is finishing an upgrade...
Update failed (exit code: 1603).
Error code: Wsl/CallMsi/E_ABORT

Even after unistalling and reinstalling it completely, I got stuck at the same state.

[CHADT10]

Same issue here.
None of the wsl commands are working. Even after downgrading to 2.0.6.0

[kloizzo]

Have the same problem, nothing I've tried so far has been able to fix this. Restarted my computer a couple hours ago and have since not been able to open wsl and continue working. Says I have version 2.0.9.0. Every time I try to use any wsl command, I get the same message for the past couple hours: "WSL is finishing an upgrade... Update failed (exit code: 1603). Error code: Wsl/CallMsi/E_ABORT". I literally cannot get any work done and I have an urgent deadline. :((((((

[MikolajGolowski]

I thought I will attach my logs to the issue as there is no logs available for this one: WslLogs-2023-11-16_23-23-55.zip

Also I've spotted that WslInstaller service can be manually started in task manager but the WslService doesn't react to start command

I hope this gets resolved asap and will be given the highest priority as it blocks all of my job duties.

[MikolajGolowski]

I got it working on my side. The problem was resolved when I deleted the WslService from registry.

What I did to fix WSL:

1. Press Win+R and type "regedit"
   
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
3. Look for "WslService" -> Right click on folder icon -> Delete
4. Restart PC
5. Install https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases/tag/2.0.5

I didn't try with 2.0.9 nor any other version of WSL for now. I'm happy it works in the end. Hope it will fix the issue for you as well.

[thangpd1004]

I got it working on my side. The problem was resolved when I deleted the WslService from registry.

What I did to fix WSL:

1. Press Win+R and type "regedit"
   
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
3. Look for "WslService" -> Right click on folder icon -> Delete
4. Restart PC
5. Install https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases/tag/2.0.5

I didn't try with 2.0.9 nor any other version of WSL for now. I'm happy it works in the end. Hope it will fix the issue for you as well.

Thank you . I fixed it

[bence42]

I got it working on my side. The problem was resolved when I deleted the WslService from registry.

What I did to fix WSL:

1. Press Win+R and type "regedit"
   
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
3. Look for "WslService" -> Right click on folder icon -> Delete
4. Restart PC
5. Install https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases/tag/2.0.5

I didn't try with 2.0.9 nor any other version of WSL for now. I'm happy it works in the end. Hope it will fix the issue for you as well.

For me, "WslService" didn't even exist. I've disabled WSL from "Turn Windows Features on or off", rebooted, enabled it, rebooted, installed WSL 2.0.8 > wsl worked.
After this I've run "wsl --update", updated to 2.0.9, and still works. Feel like witchcraft, not sure which step did the trick in the end. Maybe this helps other too.

[CHADT10]

Thanks. The way @MikolajGolowski fixed it works for me too.

[leonardoaraujodf]

I got it working on my side. The problem was resolved when I deleted the WslService from registry.

What I did to fix WSL:

1. Press Win+R and type "regedit"
   
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
3. Look for "WslService" -> Right click on folder icon -> Delete
4. Restart PC
5. Install https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases/tag/2.0.5

I didn't try with 2.0.9 nor any other version of WSL for now. I'm happy it works in the end. Hope it will fix the issue for you as well.

I have done this procedure and that fixed the problem to me. However, I lost all my data, but that's probably because I have been going through lots of different procedures, like reinstalling and messing with Windows registries to try to solve it. That on my own, I know. But I have decided to go back and use Linux VMs instead of WSL.

[kloizzo]

I got it working on my side. The problem was resolved when I deleted the WslService from registry.
What I did to fix WSL:

1. Press Win+R and type "regedit"
   
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
3. Look for "WslService" -> Right click on folder icon -> Delete
4. Restart PC
5. Install https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases/tag/2.0.5

I didn't try with 2.0.9 nor any other version of WSL for now. I'm happy it works in the end. Hope it will fix the issue for you as well.

For me, "WslService" didn't even exist. I've disabled WSL from "Turn Windows Features on or off", rebooted, enabled it, rebooted, installed WSL 2.0.8 > wsl worked. After this I've run "wsl --update", updated to 2.0.9, and still works. Feel like witchcraft, not sure which step did the trick in the end. Maybe this helps other too.

When I try to downgrade, I get this error:
Service 'WSL Service' (WSLService) could not be installed. Verify that you have sufficient privileges to install system services."

I have tried doing so as administrator using the command prompt terminal, but I still get the same error. There are no other users on my computer other than myself.

[kloizzo]

I got it working on my side. The problem was resolved when I deleted the WslService from registry.

What I did to fix WSL:

1. Press Win+R and type "regedit"
   
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
3. Look for "WslService" -> Right click on folder icon -> Delete
4. Restart PC
5. Install https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases/tag/2.0.5

I didn't try with 2.0.9 nor any other version of WSL for now. I'm happy it works in the end. Hope it will fix the issue for you as well.

This worked for me, I was not able to downgrade install 2.0.8.0, but 2.0.5.0 worked perfectly. This method even kept my locally saved changes I hadn't yet pushed. YOU SAVED MY WORK, THANK YOU!!!!!

[sh-at-bergnet-de]

I got it working on my side. The problem was resolved when I deleted the WslService from registry.
What I did to fix WSL:

1. Press Win+R and type "regedit"
   
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
3. Look for "WslService" -> Right click on folder icon -> Delete
4. Restart PC
5. Install https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases/tag/2.0.5

I didn't try with 2.0.9 nor any other version of WSL for now. I'm happy it works in the end. Hope it will fix the issue for you as well.

For me, "WslService" didn't even exist. I've disabled WSL from "Turn Windows Features on or off", rebooted, enabled it, rebooted, installed WSL 2.0.8 > wsl worked. After this I've run "wsl --update", updated to 2.0.9, and still works. Feel like witchcraft, not sure which step did the trick in the end. Maybe this helps other too.

When I try to downgrade, I get this error: Service 'WSL Service' (WSLService) could not be installed. Verify that you have sufficient privileges to install system services."

I have tried doing so as administrator using the command prompt terminal, but I still get the same error. There are no other users on my computer other than myself.

I also deleted Docker, Ubuntu, etc... Before you do the same save your virtualdisk, for ubuntu it's somewhere under AppData/Local/packages/cano... {company of ubuntu} .... and so on. ext4.vhdx. I tried to open it with the 'Bereitstellen' (provide, make available, something like this in english. this feature can also be used to create a virtual diskdrive from an *.img Diskimage-File), but that doesn't work.
The Recovery function of Diskinternals Linux Reader helped, but its about half speed on copying large files onto the same disk - but works.
I'm currently working on my Tuxedo laptop - and it works surprisingly well despite all the applications. Only MS Office has been a problem worth mentioning today. The online apps for it have a few operating problems, for example when you want to select a table from another sheet during the data check.
MS Teams works even better online with multiple accounts than the desktop app.
Well, I'm currently running outside all company group policies and AD is sometimes bypassed. So it's not yet an alternative, at least in our company. But it gets better with every attempt. It's definitely worth trying whether a Linux OS as the main operating system is a better solution - even if only temporarily to bridge the gap until WSL is up and running again.

[samluise]

I'm having a similar problem; I've noticed that no matter what command I enter, it always returns wsl update failed. So I deleted the key file ext4.vhdx and then I found that the commands worked, but of course wsl is now faulty. So
I logged off all the VMs
wsl --list
Ubuntu
docker-desktop
docker-desktop-data
Perform a logout:
wsl --unregister Ubuntu
wsl --unregister docker-desktop
wsl --unregister docker-desktop-data
Redownload wsl
wsl --install

[xxPennyxx]

I got it working on my side. The problem was resolved when I deleted the WslService from registry.
What I did to fix WSL:

1. Press Win+R and type "regedit"
   
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
3. Look for "WslService" -> Right click on folder icon -> Delete
4. Restart PC
5. Install https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases/tag/2.0.5

I didn't try with 2.0.9 nor any other version of WSL for now. I'm happy it works in the end. Hope it will fix the issue for you as well.

Thank you . I fixed it

Then I ran the following command: wsl --unregister Ubuntu and did all the steps from square one. Working now! :)

[Molenfeuer]

I run WSL on a Windows 10 system and had the same issue! It worked for me to remove the app 'Windows Subsystem for Linux' from 'Settings > Apps' and install these updates from the Microsoft homepage.

[signalprocessor]

I run WSL on a Windows 10 system and had the same issue! It worked for me to remove the app 'Windows Subsystem for Linux' from 'Settings > Apps' and install these updates from the Microsoft homepage.

@Molenfeuer's solution worked for me also (Windows 10 Pro 22H2).
1st attempt: Uninstalled WSL and installed the Linux kernel update package. Then wsl --update, failed with the same error code as before. Uninstalled WSL and rebooted.
2nd attempt: Uninstalled WSL and installed the Linux kernel update package. Everything working, no data lost. However, I'm not confident that this will last past the next auto-update.

wsl --status:
Default Distribution: Ubuntu
Default Version: 2
Windows Subsystem for Linux was last updated on 20.11.2023
WSL automatic updates are on.

wsl --list:
Windows Subsystem for Linux Distributions:
Ubuntu (Default)
docker-desktop-data
docker-desktop

[baiciluigi]

Same issue, can only run wsl with admin rights, everything else fails. Have to manually run it on admin.
Docker Desktop fails, but when launched with admin rights, succeeds aswell.
For now I can work like this but it needs to be fixed..

[StraigenDaigen]

I got it working on my side. The problem was resolved when I deleted the WslService from registry.

What I did to fix WSL:

1. Press Win+R and type "regedit"
   
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
3. Look for "WslService" -> Right click on folder icon -> Delete
4. Restart PC
5. Install https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases/tag/2.0.5

I didn't try with 2.0.9 nor any other version of WSL for now. I'm happy it works in the end. Hope it will fix the issue for you as well.

Thank you very much, I was thinking re-install my Windows 11, but this solution works for me.

[Hakim-0000]

I got it working on my side. The problem was resolved when I deleted the WslService from registry.

What I did to fix WSL:

1. Press Win+R and type "regedit"
   
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
3. Look for "WslService" -> Right click on folder icon -> Delete
4. Restart PC
5. Install https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases/tag/2.0.5

I didn't try with 2.0.9 nor any other version of WSL for now. I'm happy it works in the end. Hope it will fix the issue for you as well.

thanks! actually, my problem was solved already after i delete the WslService on regedit and restart it

[aftab-s]

Have the same problem, nothing I've tried so far has been able to fix this. Restarted my computer a couple hours ago and have since not been able to open wsl and continue working. Says I have version 2.0.9.0. Every time I try to use any wsl command, I get the same message for the past couple hours: "WSL is finishing an upgrade... Update failed (exit code: 1603). Error code: Wsl/CallMsi/E_ABORT". I literally cannot get any work done and I have an urgent deadline. :((((((

where u able to fix it?

[ronimiguel]

Have the same problem, nothing I've tried so far has been able to fix this. Restarted my computer a couple hours ago and have since not been able to open wsl and continue working. Says I have version 2.0.9.0. Every time I try to use any wsl command, I get the same message for the past couple hours: "WSL is finishing an upgrade... Update failed (exit code: 1603). Error code: Wsl/CallMsi/E_ABORT". I literally cannot get any work done and I have an urgent deadline. :((((((

where u able to fix it?

Encountered the same issue, and after trying various solutions without success, I finally found a workaround that works, assuming you have admin access:

1. Locate PowerShell in the start menu, right-click on it, and choose "Run as Administrator."
2. In the PowerShell command prompt, execute wsl --list to display a list of all installed Linux distributions.
3. To start a specific distribution, use the command: wsl -d nameOfDistribution. For example, wsl -d Ubuntu

[sarahgsb]

I got it working on my side. The problem was resolved when I deleted the WslService from registry.

What I did to fix WSL:

1. Press Win+R and type "regedit"
   
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
3. Look for "WslService" -> Right click on folder icon -> Delete
4. Restart PC
5. Install https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases/tag/2.0.5

I didn't try with 2.0.9 nor any other version of WSL for now. I'm happy it works in the end. Hope it will fix the issue for you as well.

THANK YOU!!!! It worked here!!

[mikefarmer01]

After updating to the 2.0.11 pre-release, wsl started working again for me.

[JVimes]

Edit: Apparently because I'd enabled "Use TLS 1.3 (experimental)" in Internet Options.

Deleted reg key, restart, install 2.0.5. Now wsl --update gives an error 😕

PS> wsl --update
Checking for updates.
An error occurred in the secure channel support
Error code: Wsl/UpdatePackage/0x80072f7d

[yusuf-uthman]

I got it working on my side. The problem was resolved when I deleted the WslService from registry.

What I did to fix WSL:

1. Press Win+R and type "regedit"
   
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
3. Look for "WslService" -> Right click on folder icon -> Delete
4. Restart PC
5. Install https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases/tag/2.0.5

I didn't try with 2.0.9 nor any other version of WSL for now. I'm happy it works in the end. Hope it will fix the issue for you as well.

This worked for me as well, But I lost my projects because I couldn't retrieve my old files

[marianesoares]

After uninstalling wsl and deactivating wsl in windows features, it started working again for me.

Settings > Apps > Optional features > More windows features

1. Clear the “Windows Subsystem for Linux” option.
2. Reboot
3. Activate the “Windows Subsystem for Linux” option.
4. Update the kernel

[Chacoon3]

I got it working on my side. The problem was resolved when I deleted the WslService from registry.

What I did to fix WSL:

1. Press Win+R and type "regedit"
   
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
3. Look for "WslService" -> Right click on folder icon -> Delete
4. Restart PC
5. Install https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases/tag/2.0.5

I didn't try with 2.0.9 nor any other version of WSL for now. I'm happy it works in the end. Hope it will fix the issue for you as well.

Thank you so much! I solved my issue by doing step 1 through 4! I really appreciate your help!

[OneBlue]

Fixed in 2.0.11

[Matcmps]

I got it working on my side. The problem was resolved when I deleted the WslService from registry.

What I did to fix WSL:

1. Press Win+R and type "regedit"
   
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
3. Look for "WslService" -> Right click on folder icon -> Delete
4. Restart PC
5. Install https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases/tag/2.0.5

I didn't try with 2.0.9 nor any other version of WSL for now. I'm happy it works in the end. Hope it will fix the issue for you as well.

Thanks a lot!!!
It worked fine like wine!!!

[abdlkhmd]

I got it working on my side. The problem was resolved when I deleted the WslService from registry.
What I did to fix WSL:

1. Press Win+R and type "regedit"
   
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
3. Look for "WslService" -> Right click on folder icon -> Delete
4. Restart PC
5. Install https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases/tag/2.0.5

I didn't try with 2.0.9 nor any other version of WSL for now. I'm happy it works in the end. Hope it will fix the issue for you as well.

For me, "WslService" didn't even exist. I've disabled WSL from "Turn Windows Features on or off", rebooted, enabled it, rebooted, installed WSL 2.0.8 > wsl worked. After this I've run "wsl --update", updated to 2.0.9, and still works. Feel like witchcraft, not sure which step did the trick in the end. Maybe this helps other too.

How to disable WSL from "Turn Windows Features on or off"?

[hadirkhan]

I got it working on my side. The problem was resolved when I deleted the WslService from registry.
What I did to fix WSL:

1. Press Win+R and type "regedit"
   
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
3. Look for "WslService" -> Right click on folder icon -> Delete
4. Restart PC
5. Install https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases/tag/2.0.5

I didn't try with 2.0.9 nor any other version of WSL for now. I'm happy it works in the end. Hope it will fix the issue for you as well.

For me, "WslService" didn't even exist. I've disabled WSL from "Turn Windows Features on or off", rebooted, enabled it, rebooted, installed WSL 2.0.8 > wsl worked. After this I've run "wsl --update", updated to 2.0.9, and still works. Feel like witchcraft, not sure which step did the trick in the end. Maybe this helps other too.

Thanks! I wasn't able to see WslService in the registry but had a WslInstaller folder there. I didn't want to mess anything up so I tried this and it worked for me. I was able to run the wsl --update command and upgrade to 2.0.14.

[hustc12]

I got it working on my side. The problem was resolved when I deleted the WslService from registry.

What I did to fix WSL:

1. Press Win+R and type "regedit"
   
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
3. Look for "WslService" -> Right click on folder icon -> Delete
4. Restart PC
5. Install https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases/tag/2.0.5

I didn't try with 2.0.9 nor any other version of WSL for now. I'm happy it works in the end. Hope it will fix the issue for you as well.

It works for me! You really saved my life!

[jredfox]

same issue here WSL was never installed before and I am running windows 10.0.19045.3636. this issue is not fixed.

[soutzis]

I got it working on my side. The problem was resolved when I deleted the WslService from registry.

What I did to fix WSL:

1. Press Win+R and type "regedit"
   ![image](https://private-user-images.githubusercontent.com/74925548/283622770-c97b1a55-89f2-4d66-ba30-f3ab0741e150.png?jwt=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.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.0g_2ox4O6FPXcuWQZ3gPDHSeeu6aXp05NhkIAMUdsoo)

2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services

3. Look for "WslService" -> Right click on folder icon -> Delete

4. Restart PC

5. Install https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases/tag/2.0.5

I didn't try with 2.0.9 nor any other version of WSL for now. I'm happy it works in the end. Hope it will fix the issue for you as well.

IDK how you figured it out, but you are a f***in CHAD! Thanks and well done! Even the MS devs couldn't figure it out.

Can confirm that the latest version works fine!

[doanhuong1992vn]

I got it working on my side. The problem was resolved when I deleted the WslService from registry.

What I did to fix WSL:

1. Press Win+R and type "regedit"
   
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
3. Look for "WslService" -> Right click on folder icon -> Delete
4. Restart PC
5. Install https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases/tag/2.0.5

I didn't try with 2.0.9 nor any other version of WSL for now. I'm happy it works in the end. Hope it will fix the issue for you as well.

Thank you. It really solved the problem for me

[SrfYakuza]

you should try wsl --update --web-download

and then wsl --install
it should work

[AntonSmatanik]

I got it working on my side. The problem was resolved when I deleted the WslService from registry.

What I did to fix WSL:

1. Press Win+R and type "regedit"
   
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
3. Look for "WslService" -> Right click on folder icon -> Delete
4. Restart PC
5. Install https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases/tag/2.0.5

I didn't try with 2.0.9 nor any other version of WSL for now. I'm happy it works in the end. Hope it will fix the issue for you as well.

Same process worked for me, but I used version 2.0.11. I didn't lose any data. The Linux distro, in this case Ubuntu, worked like a charm again.

[Copystrike]

Just adding my 2 cents here, had the same issue, but for me WslService didn't exist. Turns out it was just because I had not enabled Hyper-V in windows features. (At least that is what I assume)

Screenshot

These are my current Windows features incase you want to replicate. (Make sure to reboot your pc)

[77DDS77]

I got it working on my side. The problem was resolved when I deleted the WslService from registry.

What I did to fix WSL:

1. Press Win+R and type "regedit"
   
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
3. Look for "WslService" -> Right click on folder icon -> Delete
4. Restart PC
5. Install https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases/tag/2.0.5

I didn't try with 2.0.9 nor any other version of WSL for now. I'm happy it works in the end. Hope it will fix the issue for you as well.

THANK YOU! Been headbutting all morning, you saved my day!

[BraveDrXuTF]

I got it working on my side. The problem was resolved when I deleted the WslService from registry.
What I did to fix WSL:

1. Press Win+R and type "regedit"
   ![image](https://private-user-images.githubusercontent.com/74925548/283622770-c97b1a55-89f2-4d66-ba30-f3ab0741e150.png?jwt=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.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.0g_2ox4O6FPXcuWQZ3gPDHSeeu6aXp05NhkIAMUdsoo)

2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services

3. Look for "WslService" -> Right click on folder icon -> Delete

4. Restart PC

5. Install https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases/tag/2.0.5

I didn't try with 2.0.9 nor any other version of WSL for now. I'm happy it works in the end. Hope it will fix the issue for you as well.

IDK how you figured it out, but you are a f***in CHAD! Thanks and well done! Even the MS devs couldn't figure it out.

Can confirm that the latest version works fine!

It not works for me, I got the error by wsl --update, and I went into the regedit but found no WslService. 😥

In fact, the problem bg for me is, I want to reload my vhdx file with my old ubuntu system, so I create a reg of that file, and wsl detect it. But after I use wslconfig to transfer the default version to my vhdx file and run wsl, the system requests me to update wsl and says "core" needs to be updated, so I run wsl --update and got the error code, and with no wslservice. What should I do to load my system successfully?

[blairg23]

Windows restart fixed the issue.

[elvisisvan]

I got it working on my side. The problem was resolved when I deleted the WslService from registry.
What I did to fix WSL:

1. Press Win+R and type "regedit"
   
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
3. Look for "WslService" -> Right click on folder icon -> Delete
4. Restart PC
5. Install https://github.com/microsoft/WSL/releases/tag/2.0.5

I didn't try with 2.0.9 nor any other version of WSL for now. I'm happy it works in the end. Hope it will fix the issue for you as well.

For me, "WslService" didn't even exist. I've disabled WSL from "Turn Windows Features on or off", rebooted, enabled it, rebooted, installed WSL 2.0.8 > wsl worked. After this I've run "wsl --update", updated to 2.0.9, and still works. Feel like witchcraft, not sure which step did the trick in the end. Maybe this helps other too.

How to disable WSL from "Turn Windows Features on or off"?

press windows + r then input:

tick "windows subsystem for linux" and "windows hypervisor platform":