for-win Docker Desktop GUI does not re-open after being closed

Description

I clicked and opened Docker Desktop. This also starts the process in Windows Task Manager. If I close the desktop GUI and try to reopen it, it only flashes but does not re-open. The processes are still running. I have to re-boot the machine to get the Desktop GUI to open.

Running version 4.33.1 (161083) on Windows 11 Pro 23H2

Reproduce

Docker Desktop open
Close Docker Desktop, the processes are still running.
Try to re-open Docker Desktop, it does not open
Have to re-boot to get the GUI to open

Expected behavior

Docker Desktop GUI show re-open after being closed.

docker version

Client:
 Version:           27.1.1
 API version:       1.46
 Go version:        go1.21.12
 Git commit:        6312585
 Built:             Tue Jul 23 19:57:57 2024
 OS/Arch:           windows/amd64
 Context:           desktop-windows

Server: Docker Desktop 4.33.1 (161083)
 Engine:
  Version:          27.1.1
  API version:      1.46 (minimum version 1.24)
  Go version:       go1.21.12
  Git commit:       cc13f95
  Built:            Tue Jul 23 19:56:46 2024
  OS/Arch:          windows/amd64
  Experimental:     falsedocker info

docker info

Client:
 Version:    27.1.1
 Context:    desktop-windows
 Debug Mode: false
 Plugins:
  buildx: Docker Buildx (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v0.16.1-desktop.1
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-buildx.exe
  compose: Docker Compose (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v2.29.1-desktop.1
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-compose.exe
  debug: Get a shell into any image or container (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  0.0.34
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-debug.exe
  desktop: Docker Desktop commands (Alpha) (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v0.0.14
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-desktop.exe
  dev: Docker Dev Environments (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v0.1.2
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-dev.exe
  extension: Manages Docker extensions (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v0.2.25
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-extension.exe
  feedback: Provide feedback, right in your terminal! (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v1.0.5
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-feedback.exe
  init: Creates Docker-related starter files for your project (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v1.3.0
    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:  v1.11.0
    Path:     C:\Program Files\Docker\cli-plugins\docker-scout.exe

Server:
 Containers: 1
  Running: 1
  Paused: 0
  Stopped: 0
 Images: 17
 Server Version: 27.1.1
 Storage Driver: windowsfilter
  Windows:
 Logging Driver: json-file
 Plugins:
  Volume: local
  Network: ics internal l2bridge l2tunnel nat null overlay private transparent
  Log: awslogs etwlogs fluentd gcplogs gelf json-file local splunk syslog
 Swarm: inactive
 Default Isolation: hyperv
 Kernel Version: 10.0 22631 (22621.1.amd64fre.ni_release.220506-1250)
 Operating System: Microsoft Windows Version 23H2 (OS Build 22631.3958)
 OSType: windows
 Architecture: x86_64
 CPUs: 24
 Total Memory: 31.84GiB
 Name: THOWARD9FALCONX
 ID: e369fd97-e773-4989-8908-ec03597173af
 Docker Root Dir: C:\ProgramData\Docker
 Debug Mode: false
 Labels:
  com.docker.desktop.address=npipe://\\.\pipe\docker_cli
 Experimental: false
 Insecure Registries:
  127.0.0.0/8
 Live Restore Enabled: false
 Product License: Community Engine

Diagnostics ID

E727378F-3295-4C7F-BF79-2FF28206A26F/20240808013051

Additional Info

No response

Aug 08 '24 01:08 thoward9

I have the same issue

looks like the same version numbers too

Edition Windows 11 Pro Version 23H2 Installed on ‎25/‎07/‎2024 OS build 22631.3880 Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22700.1020.0

Docker version 27.1.1, build 6312585

Docker Desktop 4.33.1 (161083)

Aug 09 '24 09:08 seanburlington

Seems like a full reboot isn't needed

I can start docker-desktop if I sign out of windows and sign back in again.

Aug 09 '24 09:08 seanburlington

I also have this issue, I have the same version numbers and if I close the docker processes in task manager it does re-open Edition Windows 11 Home Version 23H2 Installed on 4/‎23/‎2024 OS build 22631.3880 Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22700.1020.0

Docker version 27.1.1, build 6312585 Docker Desktop 4.33.1, build 161083

Aug 13 '24 13:08 ExplosiveGreen

I have the same issue on Windows 10 22H2 with Docker desktop v33.1 .

Aug 19 '24 11:08 willem-syt

i noticed that it only happens when their is a Docker backend process running in the background. if their isn't a docker backend running, it will open up normally. Edition Windows 11 Home Version 23H2 Installed on 4/‎23/‎2024 OS build 22631.4169 Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22700.1034.0

Docker version 27.2.0, build 3ab4256 Docker Desktop 4.34.2, build 167172

Sep 25 '24 15:09 ExplosiveGreen

Same issue on my machine. Windows 10 22H2 As others have reported, the docker desktop UI will open the first time, but if you close it you cannot reopen it. The docker icon isnt present in the system tray either. Maybe related - when I open desktop for the first time, I get a wsl integration error and need to click on the restart integration button on the dialog that pops up. This happens every single time when I start docker desktop for the first time after a reboot.

Nov 12 '24 23:11 bobbyalex

Same issue here on Windows 11. When I use task manager to end the task "Docker Desktop Backend", then I can start docker desktop application correctly again.

100% reproducable

Dec 13 '24 07:12 jorisvanemden

I'm seeing exactly the same

Jan 16 '25 16:01 adrianroe

same issue. #14147 Please fix this

Jan 18 '25 17:01 KezTech

Same behavior in Windows 11 running docker with windows and wsl . Thanks @jorisvanemden for the easy fix.

wsl info

Client:
 Version:    27.4.0
 Context:    default
 Debug Mode: false
 Plugins:
  ai: Ask Gordon - Docker Agent (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v0.5.1
    Path:     /usr/local/lib/docker/cli-plugins/docker-ai
  buildx: Docker Buildx (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v0.19.2-desktop.1
    Path:     /usr/local/lib/docker/cli-plugins/docker-buildx
  compose: Docker Compose (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v2.31.0-desktop.2
    Path:     /usr/local/lib/docker/cli-plugins/docker-compose
  debug: Get a shell into any image or container (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  0.0.37
    Path:     /usr/local/lib/docker/cli-plugins/docker-debug
  desktop: Docker Desktop commands (Beta) (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v0.1.0
    Path:     /usr/local/lib/docker/cli-plugins/docker-desktop
  dev: Docker Dev Environments (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v0.1.2
    Path:     /usr/local/lib/docker/cli-plugins/docker-dev
  extension: Manages Docker extensions (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v0.2.27
    Path:     /usr/local/lib/docker/cli-plugins/docker-extension
  feedback: Provide feedback, right in your terminal! (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v1.0.5
    Path:     /usr/local/lib/docker/cli-plugins/docker-feedback
  init: Creates Docker-related starter files for your project (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v1.4.0
    Path:     /usr/local/lib/docker/cli-plugins/docker-init
  sbom: View the packaged-based Software Bill Of Materials (SBOM) for an image (Anchore Inc.)
    Version:  0.6.0
    Path:     /usr/local/lib/docker/cli-plugins/docker-sbom
  scout: Docker Scout (Docker Inc.)
    Version:  v1.15.1
    Path:     /usr/local/lib/docker/cli-plugins/docker-scout

Jan 24 '25 18:01 manuerumx

Same issue running with HyperV backend.

Specified workaround works.

Jan 31 '25 16:01 mpzarde

Same issue with new Docker Desktop v. 4.38.0 on Windows 10 Pro 22H2, with WSL2

Feb 03 '25 15:02 sisco70

same issue

Feb 19 '25 18:02 rrdgcoks

Same issue for me:

Docker Desktop 4.38

Windows 23H2 22631.4890

Only way for me to make the Docker Desktop UI open is killing the Docker Desktop Backend thread via the Task-Manager, but then I have to start all my containers again.

I should note that it doesn't work to hit this icon:

But it works to click the tray icon, to open up Docker Desktop for Windows - it WILL open Docker Desktop:

Mar 03 '25 12:03 EikiEgilz666

Same issue here. Win 11 Pro v.10.0 Build 26100, Docker Desktop v4.39.0

Mar 11 '25 05:03 cliffb50

@cliffb50 @EikiEgilz666 can you please share a diagnostics id?

Mar 19 '25 15:03 bsousaa

I Identified part of the problem. The GUI isn't very intuitive. If I close the GUI window by clicking on the "x" in the upper right corner of the window frame, it becomes impossible to reopen the GUI without killing the docker processes. However, if one goes to the 3-dot menu on the bottom bar of the window and selects the option to shut down docker, restarting is no problem.

As a programmer, this tells me that the underlying problem is that the Docker app is written in such a way that the GUI itself cannot be closed and reopened. This needs to be addressed, even if it's only a popup to inform users what's about to happen if you simply try to close the window. Ideally, the GUI should be able to be closed, and when reopened, it should be able to reconnect to the underlying processes.

Mar 21 '25 22:03 cliffb50

Same issue with Windows 10 pro 22H2 and following docker info.

Client: Version: 28.0.4 API version: 1.48 Go version: go1.23.7 Git commit: b8034c0 Built: Tue Mar 25 15:07:48 2025 OS/Arch: windows/amd64 Context: desktop-linux

Server: Docker Desktop 4.40.0 (187762)

Apr 30 '25 02:04 Freya-Jheng

Same issue.

Windows 11 Pro 24H2 ‎21.‎01.‎2025 26100.3624 1000.26100.66.0

Client:
 Version:           28.1.1
 API version:       1.49
 Go version:        go1.23.8
 Git commit:        4eba377
 Built:             Fri Apr 18 09:53:24 2025
 OS/Arch:           windows/amd64
 Context:           desktop-linux

Server: Docker Desktop 4.41.2 (191736)
 Engine:
  Version:          28.1.1
  API version:      1.49 (minimum version 1.24)
  Go version:       go1.23.8
  Git commit:       01f442b
  Built:            Fri Apr 18 09:52:57 2025
  OS/Arch:          linux/amd64
  Experimental:     false
 containerd:
  Version:          1.7.27
  GitCommit:        05044ec0a9a75232cad458027ca83437aae3f4da
 runc:
  Version:          1.2.5
  GitCommit:        v1.2.5-0-g59923ef
 docker-init:
  Version:          0.19.0
  GitCommit:        de40ad0

May 23 '25 14:05 mbsagin

Same here with Version 4.48.0 (207573) on

Windows 11 Business 24H2 26100.6584

Please finally fix this annoying issue

Oct 15 '25 11:10 mhummels

Same here with Version 4.48.0 (207573) on

Windows 11 Business 24H2 26100.6584

Please finally fix this annoying issue

I fixed the issue with docker desktop stop and docker desktop start — you can check out the details in the forum thread.

https://forums.docker.com/t/docker-desktop-4-47-0-on-windows-11-pro-24h2-app-running-but-gui-not-showing/149949/2?u=mbsagin

Oct 15 '25 13:10 mbsagin

We are aware of the bunch of existing workarounds to be able to start and stop docker desktop. But nevertheless it is annoying that docker needs to be shut down using CLI or Task manager first before you are able to open the GUI again.

I am 100% sure the default user expects the GUI to open up on every attempt, no matter if the docker background service is still running or not.

Oct 15 '25 14:10 mhummels

Have you tried the icon in the task bar, as described here https://github.com/docker/for-win/issues/14242#issuecomment-2694224906 ? Works good for me in the latest versions.

Oct 20 '25 09:10 willem-syt

Have you tried the icon in the task bar, as described here https://github.com/docker/for-win/issues/14242#issuecomment-2694224906 ? Works good for me in the latest versions.

This isn’t the issue — there are plenty of workarounds for it. The point we’re making is that the expected behavior of the Docker Desktop app is for it to open every time we click the .exe file, without needing any workarounds.

Oct 20 '25 09:10 ExplosiveGreen