The Error “Docker Desktop stopped…”, is an error that is invoked when you are working on docker and are trying to install it initially.
Given below is the snippet of the error you might get:
Docker Desktop stopped...I would like to share with you the steps I took to fix the “Docker Desktop stopped…”
Why “Docker Desktop stopped…” Error is Seen?
The error, “Docker Desktop stopped…” is seen because this is an error from docker’s technical side itself and this is specific to version 4.5.0 as of now. The error is seen in this specific version 4.5.0 is because the “wslEngineEnabled” is set to false in the configuration files.
The WSL 2 backend is intentionally disabled by default in Desktop 4.5.0, despite the fact that Windows Home is the only environment in which it should be available. This error is fixed in the latest version of docker that is version 4.5.1.
Sometimes a simple restart of docker or your system also seems to solve the problem.
The detailed solution to fix the error “Docker Desktop stopped…”, is given below:
How to fix “Docker Desktop stopped…” Error?
To fix the error, the simplest fix, would be to update the docker desktop to latest version 4.5.1 as this error has been fixed in 4.5.1 version. If you still need to use the version 4.5.0 then you will have to go to the config file at the location C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Docker\settings.json, and set "wslEngineEnabled":true.
Also an alternative solution would be to go to your setting and change WSL engine setting to checked.
To fix the error, “Docker Desktop stopped…”, you will have to follow one of the methods mentioned below depending on your operating system:
Method 1: update Docker to Latest Version 4.5.1
To fix the error you will first have to update your docket to the latest version that is 4.5.1 because this error has been fixed in the latest version of docker. When installing 4.5.1, Docker Desktop on Windows Home will automatically switch back to WSL 2.
This should fix the error “Docker Desktop stopped…”.
Method 2: Changing Settings
If you still face the error and insist on using the version 4.5.0 then you will have to go to the config file at the following location: C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Docker\settings.json, and then change your "wslEngineEnabled": true.
This should fix the error “Docker Desktop stopped…”.
Method 3: Update the Kernal and Delete WSL2
If you still face the error and insist on using the version 4.5.0 then open the settings in your docker app when it shows the erorr that it stopped. You will notice that the WSL engine settings was not checked.
You can check mark the settings and resart your app to check if you still face the error have to downgrade that particular module.
First uninstall the module completely and then install the specific version again regardless if you are using yarn or npm.
This should fix the error “Docker Desktop stopped…”.
Method 4: Downgrade Docker version or Restart Docker
If you still face the error even after following all the above methods then you might have to consider downgrading you dokcer version to version 4.4.4.
The error is specific to the version 4.5.0 and downgrading your docker should fix the problem.
Sometimes a simple resart of your docker app and your computer system also can fix your error.
This should fix the error “Docker Desktop stopped…”.
Conclusion
To fix the error, the simplest fix, would be to update the docker desktop to latest version 4.5.1 as this error has been fixed in 4.5.1 version.
If you still need to use the version 4.5.0 then you will have to go to the config file at the location C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Docker\settings.json, and set "wslEngineEnabled":true.
Also an alternative solution would be to go to your setting and change WSL engine setting to checked.
IF nothing works, sometime a imple system/PC restart should fix the “Docker Desktop stopped…” Error.