Quick Summary
The 'DOCKER_FAILED_TO_START' error indicates that the Docker service was unable to initialize and begin running correctly. This can prevent you from starting Docker containers or managing existing ones.
Common Causes of Error DOCKER_FAILED_TO_START
- Port conflicts: Another application might be using the ports that Docker needs (e.g., port 2375, 2376). This prevents Docker from binding to those ports.
- Corrupted Docker installation: Files related to the Docker installation may be damaged or incomplete, leading to startup failures.
- Insufficient system resources: Docker might require more memory, CPU, or disk space than is currently available on the system.
- Firewall restrictions: Firewall rules may be blocking Docker from communicating with the network or other containers.
- Incorrect Docker configuration: Settings in the Docker configuration files (e.g., `daemon.json`) could be invalid or conflicting.
- Kernel incompatibility or missing features: The Linux kernel may be too old, missing required features (like cgroups or namespaces), or the Linux kernel modules are missing.
Step-by-Step Fixes
Method 1: Check and Resolve Port Conflicts Show Steps ›
Step 1: Identify conflicting processes. Use the command netstat -tulnp (Linux) or netstat -ano | findstr ":2375" (Windows PowerShell) to find processes using Docker's ports (e.g., 2375, 2376).
Step 2: Stop the conflicting process. Use the appropriate command (e.g., kill on Linux or taskkill /PID on Windows) to stop the process.
Step 3: Reconfigure Docker (optional). If stopping the process isn't feasible, change Docker's ports in the daemon.json file (Linux: /etc/docker/daemon.json, Windows: C:\ProgramData\DockerDesktop\settings.json). Add or modify the 'hosts' key to specify different ports e.g., {"hosts": ["tcp://0.0.0.0:2377"] }. Restart Docker after modifying the configuration.
Method 2: Restart Docker Service Show Steps ›
Step 1: Stop the Docker service. Depending on your operating system, use the appropriate command: sudo systemctl stop docker (Linux), or through the Services app (services.msc) on windows or using the Docker Desktop UI to stop the service.
Step 2: Start the Docker service. Similarly, use: sudo systemctl start docker (Linux), or using the Services app or CLI in case of desktop docker instance.
Step 3: Check Docker service status. Linux: sudo systemctl status docker. Windows: Docker Desktop UI or PowerShell using Get-Service docker.
Method 3: Reinstall Docker Show Steps ›
Step 1: Uninstall Docker. Follow the official uninstallation instructions for your operating system (e.g., using package manager commands like apt remove docker-ce on Debian/Ubuntu, or the uninstaller on Windows).
Step 2: Remove Docker data directories. Delete the directories containing Docker's persistent data. These locations depends on the OS and the used docker software. These are often located in locations such as /var/lib/docker, /var/run/docker, and C:\ProgramData\DockerDesktop\. WARNING: This will erase your existing containers, images, and volumes.
Step 3: Reinstall Docker. Download and install the latest version of Docker from the official Docker website or using your OS appropriate package manager.
Method 4: Check System Resources Show Steps ›
Step 1: Monitor CPU and Memory usage. Use tools like top or htop (Linux) or Task Manager (Windows) to monitor CPU and memory usage.
Step 2: Increase Resources (if necessary). If CPU or memory usage is consistently high, consider increasing system resources. This could involve adding more RAM, upgrading the CPU, or closing unnecessary applications.
Step 3: Adjust Docker's Resource Limits. You can configure resource limits for Docker containers in Docker Desktop by going to Settings -> Resources. You may also use the command line using the --cpus and --memory flags.
Method 5: Check Firewall Settings Show Steps ›
Step 1: Verify Firewall Configuration. Review your firewall rules (e.g., using iptables on Linux or Windows Firewall) to ensure that Docker's traffic is not being blocked.
Step 2: Allow Docker Traffic. Create rules to allow Docker to communicate on necessary ports (e.g., 2375, 2376) and with other containers. Example iptables rule: sudo iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 2375 -j ACCEPT.
Method 6: Review Docker Configuration Files Show Steps ›
Step 1: Locate Docker configuration files. Common configuration files include daemon.json (Linux: /etc/docker/daemon.json, Windows: C:\ProgramData\DockerDesktop\settings.json) and Docker Compose files (docker-compose.yml).
Step 2: Validate configuration. Carefully review the contents of these files for syntax errors, invalid settings, or conflicting options. Use a JSON validator to check the daemon.json file. Ensure the YAML syntax is correct in Docker Compose files.
Step 3: Correct any errors. Fix any identified errors in the configuration files and restart the Docker service.