Fixing "Docker Desktop Stopped" Error After Installation

Problem Overview

After installing Docker Desktop on Windows and configuring WSL 2 with the Linux kernel update package, users may encounter the frustrating "Docker Desktop stopped..." error message. This issue prevents Docker from starting properly, despite having virtualization enabled and following the recommended installation steps.

Common troubleshooting attempts that typically don't resolve this issue include:

• Uninstalling and reinstalling Docker
• Running the application as administrator

Solution 1: Update Docker Desktop to Version 4.5.1 or Newer

The most reliable solution is to upgrade to Docker Desktop version 4.5.1 or later, which specifically addressed this issue:

PowerShell

# Check current Docker version
docker --version

# Download and install the latest version from:
# https://docs.docker.com/desktop/release-notes/

Version Fix Details

Docker Desktop 4.5.1, released on February 15, 2022, includes critical fixes for this issue:

• Windows Home users: Automatically switches back to WSL 2
• Other Windows versions: Requires manual enabling of WSL 2 in settings

Solution 2: Manually Configure WSL 2 Settings

If you cannot immediately update, you can manually configure the WSL setting:

1. Navigate to the Docker settings file:

   C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Docker\settings.json

2. Edit the file and ensure the following setting is present:

   {
     "wslEngineEnabled": true
   }

3. Save the file and restart your computer

Important

After editing the settings file, a full system restart is required for the changes to take effect. Simply restarting Docker Desktop is not sufficient.

Solution 3: Downgrade to Version 4.4.4 (Temporary Workaround)

If immediate updating isn't possible, downgrading to version 4.4.4 provides a stable temporary solution:

1. Uninstall the current Docker Desktop version
2. Download and install Docker Desktop 4.4.4 from the official Docker releases page
3. Configure your environment as needed

Not Recommended Long-Term

While downgrading works, it's not a permanent solution. Older versions lack security updates and new features. Plan to upgrade to a supported version as soon as possible.

Verifying Your Configuration

After applying any solution, verify that Docker is running correctly:

Check Docker Status

docker info
docker run hello-world

Verify WSL Integration

wsl --list --verbose

Prevention and Best Practices

To avoid similar issues in the future:

1. Enable automatic updates in Docker Desktop settings
2. Regularly check for WSL updates using:

   wsl --update

3. Back up your Docker settings before major version upgrades
4. Check compatibility before updating, especially with corporate environments

Support Resources

If these solutions don't resolve your issue:

• Check Docker's official documentation
• Visit Docker Community Forums
• Review GitHub issues for similar problems

Most users find that updating to Docker Desktop 4.5.1 or newer resolves the "Docker Desktop stopped..." error completely, restoring full functionality to their development environment.