Quick Fix: Docker Desktop Failed to Start (Virtualization) – wiki大全

Quick Fix: Docker Desktop Failed to Start (Virtualization)

Docker Desktop has become an indispensable tool for developers, providing a seamless way to build, ship, and run applications in containers. However, a common hurdle users encounter, particularly on Windows operating systems, is Docker Desktop failing to start with errors related to virtualization. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to quickly diagnose and resolve these virtualization-related issues.

Understanding the Core Problem

Docker Desktop fundamentally relies on underlying virtualization technologies to function. On Windows, this primarily means either Microsoft’s Hyper-V or Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL 2). When Docker Desktop reports a failure to start due to virtualization, it almost always indicates that these essential components are either disabled, incorrectly configured, or conflicting with other system settings.

Common Causes and Solutions

Addressing Docker Desktop’s startup issues often involves systematically checking and configuring your system’s virtualization settings.

1. Hardware Virtualization Disabled in BIOS/UEFI

This is the most foundational requirement. Your CPU must support virtualization (Intel VT-x or AMD-V), and this feature must be explicitly enabled in your computer’s BIOS/UEFI firmware.

• How to Check:
  1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Navigate to the “Performance” tab.
  3. Select “CPU” from the left pane.
  4. Look for “Virtualization” on the right side. It should display “Enabled.” If it says “Disabled,” you need to enable it in your BIOS/UEFI settings.
• How to Enable (BIOS/UEFI):
  1. Restart your computer.
  2. During the boot process, repeatedly press the key to enter your BIOS/UEFI settings. Common keys include F2, F10, F12, Del, or Esc. (The exact key varies by manufacturer; consult your motherboard or PC manual if unsure).
  3. Once in BIOS/UEFI, navigate to a section typically labeled “Advanced,” “CPU Configuration,” “Security,” or “Virtualization.”
  4. Locate settings such as “Virtualization Technology,” “Intel VT-x,” “AMD-V,” or “SVM Mode” and ensure they are set to “Enabled.”
  5. Save your changes (often F10) and exit BIOS/UEFI. Your computer will restart.

2. Required Windows Features Not Enabled

Docker Desktop leverages specific Windows features. For Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, Hyper-V is the traditional backend. For Windows 10/11 Home, WSL 2 is the primary engine. Regardless of your Windows edition, certain features are crucial.

• How to Enable Windows Features:
  1. In the Windows search bar, type “Turn Windows features on or off” and open the corresponding control panel item.
  2. Ensure the following checkboxes are ticked:
     • Hyper-V (if available for your Windows edition, typically Pro/Enterprise/Education).
     • Virtual Machine Platform
     • Windows Subsystem for Linux
     • Windows Hypervisor Platform
  3. Click “OK.” If prompted, restart your computer to apply the changes.

3. WSL 2 Issues (for Windows Home or as Primary Backend)

If you’re on Windows 10/11 Home, or if Docker Desktop is configured to use WSL 2 as its backend (which is the default and recommended for most users), you must ensure WSL 2 is correctly installed and updated.

• Install/Update WSL:
  1. Open PowerShell or Command Prompt as an administrator.
  2. Run wsl --install to ensure WSL is installed.
  3. Run wsl --update to get the latest WSL kernel.
  4. Run wsl --set-default-version 2 to set WSL 2 as the default version for any new Linux distributions.
  5. A system restart might be necessary after these commands.

4. Hypervisor Launch Type Not Automatic

Occasionally, the hypervisor service that manages virtualization might not be configured to launch automatically.

• Ensure Automatic Hypervisor Launch:
  1. Open PowerShell or Command Prompt as an administrator.
  2. Execute the command: bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto
  3. Restart your computer.

5. Other Potential Issues and Advanced Troubleshooting

If the above steps don’t resolve the problem, consider these additional solutions:

• Run Docker Desktop as Administrator: Right-click the Docker Desktop shortcut and select “Run as administrator.” This can resolve permission-related issues.
• Reset Docker to Factory Defaults: In Docker Desktop settings (usually accessible from the Docker icon in the system tray), go to the “Troubleshoot” section and select “Reset to factory defaults.” Be cautious, as this will delete all your existing containers, images, and volumes.
• Reinstall Docker Desktop:
  1. Uninstall Docker Desktop completely via “Add or remove programs” in Windows settings.
  2. Restart your computer.
  3. Download the latest stable version of Docker Desktop from the official website and perform a fresh installation, ensuring you run the installer as an administrator.
• Check for Conflicts with Other Virtualization Software: Other virtualization platforms like VMware Workstation or VirtualBox can sometimes conflict with Hyper-V or WSL 2. Ensure only one major hypervisor technology is actively managing your system’s virtualization. You might need to disable or uninstall conflicting software.
• Nested Virtualization (for Docker in a VM): If you are attempting to run Docker Desktop inside a virtual machine (e.g., on a cloud VM or a local VM), you must enable nested virtualization for that specific virtual machine. This is a setting within the VM host’s configuration.

Conclusion

A “Docker Desktop Failed to Start (Virtualization)” error can be frustrating, but it’s typically a solvable problem related to system configuration rather than a fundamental flaw with Docker itself. By systematically working through these steps—ensuring hardware virtualization is enabled, activating necessary Windows features, confirming WSL 2’s health, and checking hypervisor settings—most users can quickly get Docker Desktop up and running. Remember to restart your computer after making significant changes to ensure all settings are applied correctly.