wsl service cannot start after wsl.exe. --update

[rshurts]

Version

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.22621.1265]

WSL Version

• WSL 2
• WSL 1

Kernel Version

No response

Distro Version

No response

Other Software

No response

Repro Steps

Ran wsl.exe --update

Running wsl returns:
The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it. Error code: Wsl/0x80070422

Expected Behavior

wsl service is started and wsl commands work.

Actual Behavior

Running wsl returns:
The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it. Error code: Wsl/0x80070422

Checking on the wsl service it is disabled and I'm unable to start it.

Diagnostic Logs

No response

[rshurts]

To try to get back into a working state, I used Windows Optional Features to uncheck Virtual Machine Platform and Window Subsystem for Linux. Rebooted. Rechecked those two options. Rebooted. But even a clean install results in the same error when running the wsl command.

[benhillis]

@rshurts - something has disabled the service. Do you have any idea what might have done that? There may be some clues in your event log.

You could try to uninstall / reinstall the "Windows Subsystem for Linux" application (not the optional component), and see if that fixes it.

[rshurts]

I needed to get back up an running so I ended up doing a clean install of windows and wsl is working.

[claui]

You could try to uninstall / reinstall the "Windows Subsystem for Linux" application (not the optional component), and see if that fixes it.

I clicked Repair and that fixed it.