Docker "failed to solve with frontend dockerfile.v0" Error: Causes and Solutions

Problem Statement

The error "failed to solve with frontend dockerfile.v0" occurs during Docker image building and typically indicates an issue with how Docker is processing your Dockerfile or build context. The error message may vary slightly, but common variants include:

failed to solve with frontend dockerfile.v0: failed to build LLB:
failed to compute cache key: "/.env" not found: not found

This error can be frustrating as it doesn't always clearly indicate the root cause. Based on the extensive community reports, there are numerous potential causes ranging from simple file path issues to complex configuration problems.

Common Causes and Solutions

1. Missing or Incorrectly Named Files

The most frequent cause is Docker being unable to locate referenced files in your build context.

WARNING

In the original question example, the Dockerfile contains:

COPY .env .

This command will fail if there's no .env file in your build context directory.

Solution: Ensure all files referenced in your Dockerfile exist in the build context:

# Check if .env file exists in current directory
ls -la .env

# If missing, either create it or remove the COPY command

2. Docker BuildKit Compatibility Issues

BuildKit is Docker's next-generation build system, but it can sometimes cause compatibility issues.

Solution: Temporarily disable BuildKit:

Environment Variable

# Linux/macOS
DOCKER_BUILDKIT=0 docker build . -t your-image

# Windows Command Prompt
set DOCKER_BUILDKIT=0
docker build . -t your-image

# Windows PowerShell
$env:DOCKER_BUILDKIT=0
docker build . -t your-image

Docker Desktop Configuration

// In Docker Desktop settings (Docker Engine tab):
{
  "builder": {
    "gc": {
      "defaultKeepStorage": "20GB",
      "enabled": true
    }
  },
  "experimental": false,
  "features": {
    "buildkit": false  // Change from true to false
  }
}

After changing Docker Desktop settings, restart Docker for the changes to take effect.

3. Incorrect Dockerfile Path or Name

If your Dockerfile isn't named exactly "Dockerfile" (case-sensitive) or is in a different directory, you need to specify it explicitly.

Solution: Use the -f flag to specify the Dockerfile path:

docker build -f ./path/to/your/Dockerfile -t your-image .

4. File Permission Issues

On Linux/WSL2 systems, incorrect file permissions can prevent Docker from reading the Dockerfile.

Solution: Check and fix permissions:

# Check permissions
ls -la Dockerfile

# Set appropriate permissions (readable by all)
chmod 644 Dockerfile

5. Docker Context and Working Directory Issues

Ensure you're running the build command from the correct directory and that your build context includes all necessary files.

Solution: Navigate to the proper directory before building:

# Instead of building from a symlink path
cd /actual/path/to/your/project
docker build . -t your-image

6. Dockerfile Syntax Errors

Even small syntax errors can cause this generic error message.

Solution: Carefully check your Dockerfile for:

• Typographical errors in base image names
• Incorrect continuation characters (\) at the end of lines
• Missing or extra quotes
• Invalid instructions

Example of a problematic line:

FROM apline:3.7  # Typo: should be "alpine"

7. Platform Compatibility Issues

If you're using Apple Silicon (M1/M2) or other ARM64 architecture, you might encounter issues with images built for AMD64.

Solution: Specify the platform or use compatible images:

docker build --platform=linux/amd64 . -t your-image

8. Docker Configuration Issues

Corrupted Docker configuration or incorrect credentials can cause build failures.

Solution: Remove and regenerate Docker configuration:

# WSL2/Ubuntu users
rm ~/.docker/config.json

# Then try building again
docker build . -t your-image

9. Network and VPN Issues

VPN connections or network configurations can interfere with Docker's ability to pull base images.

Solution:

• Temporarily disable VPN and try building
• Ensure proper network connectivity
• Check Docker's network settings

10. Docker Buildx Conflicts

If you've previously installed Docker Buildx, it might be aliasing your docker command.

Solution: Uninstall Buildx if you don't need it:

docker buildx uninstall

Best Practices to Avoid This Error

1. Always check file references: Ensure all COPY and ADD commands reference files that exist in your build context.

2. Use explicit paths: When in doubt, use absolute paths with the -f flag:

   docker build -f /path/to/Dockerfile -t your-image /build/context/path

3. Start simple: If encountering errors, create a minimal Dockerfile to isolate the issue:

   FROM alpine:latest
   CMD echo "Hello World"

4. Check Docker environment: Verify your Docker installation and configuration before troubleshooting complex issues.

5. Review Docker documentation: Stay updated with Docker's requirements and best practices, especially when using new features.

When All Else Fails

If none of the above solutions work, try these steps:

1. Clean build context: Remove unnecessary files from your build directory
2. Use --no-cache: Build without cache to eliminate cached layer issues

   docker build --no-cache . -t your-image

3. Check Docker logs: Examine Docker daemon logs for additional clues
4. Restart Docker: Sometimes a simple restart resolves transient issues
5. Update Docker: Ensure you're running the latest Docker version

Conclusion

The "failed to solve with frontend dockerfile.v0" error is a catch-all message that can have many underlying causes. By methodically checking file references, Docker configuration, build context, and syntax, you can identify and resolve the specific issue affecting your Docker builds.

Remember that Docker's error messages are sometimes generic, so patience and systematic troubleshooting are key to resolving build issues successfully.