Docker Desktop - Unexpected WSL error

[Acemavie234]

Description

I downloaded docker desktop about two weeks ago. It has been fine until now. A few days back when I try to launch docker desktop I get a unexpected WSL error. I've followed several online guides and github issues, but none fixed the issue for me.

Reproduce

There isn't a clear way but my way I got here is

1. Install docker desktop
2. wait about a week or more
3. launch docker desktop
4. error occurs

Expected behavior

Docker desktop should launch correctly and work.

docker version

error during connect: this error may indicate that the docker daemon is not running: Get "http://%2F%2F.%2Fpipe%2Fdocker_engine/v1.24/version": open //./pipe/docker_engine: The system cannot find the file specified.
Client:
 Cloud integration: v1.0.35+desktop.11
 Version:           25.0.3
 API version:       1.44
 Go version:        go1.21.6
 Git commit:        4debf41
 Built:             Tue Feb  6 21:13:02 2024
 OS/Arch:           windows/amd64
 Context:           default

docker info

Client:
 Version:    25.0.3
 Context:    default
 Debug Mode: false
 Plugins:
  buildx: Docker Buildx (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v0.12.1-desktop.4
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-buildx.exe
  compose: Docker Compose (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v2.24.6-desktop.1
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-compose.exe
  debug: Get a shell into any image or container. (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  0.0.24
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-debug.exe
  dev: Docker Dev Environments (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v0.1.0
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-dev.exe
  extension: Manages Docker extensions (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v0.2.22
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-extension.exe
  feedback: Provide feedback, right in your terminal! (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v1.0.4
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-feedback.exe
  init: Creates Docker-related starter files for your project (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v1.0.1
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-init.exe
  sbom: View the packaged-based Software Bill Of Materials (SBOM) for an image (Anchore Inc.)
    Version:  0.6.0
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-sbom.exe
  scout: Docker Scout (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v1.5.0
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-scout.exe

Server:
ERROR: error during connect: this error may indicate that the docker daemon is not running: Get "http://%2F%2F.%2Fpipe%2Fdocker_engine/v1.24/info": open //./pipe/docker_engine: The system cannot find the file specified.
errors pretty printing info

Diagnostics ID

9259375D-3989-47F3-AF5D-BE4959407D17/20240411160020

Additional Info

[LSXNN]

the same error for me. My fix is to uninstall docker desktop then install 4.27.2 https://stackoverflow.com/questions/77885211/docker-server-error-request-returned-internal-server-error-for-api-route-and-v#/

[Acemavie234]

This didn't fix my issue sadly

[nklmthr]

I am also facing the same issue.

[neocristal]

same error

[arefks]

FIX: I had the same problem. After disabling my antivirus the engine started again, and I didn't get the Error message of unexpected WSL. I had McAfee.

[nklmthr]

@arefks I do not have any anti virus installed on my machine. Still the issue is replicable.

[arefks]

@nklmthr Turn off your firewall plus real time protection of your windows defender and try installing an older version of docker.