Docker Not Running On Ubuntu Wsl Due To Error Cannot Connect To The Docker Daemon At Docker.Sock Is The Docker Daemon Running

The issue arises when one tries to utilize Docker on Ubuntu running under Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). Instead of successfully initializing, Docker returns an error message stating it “Cannot Connect To The Docker Daemon at docker.sock”. This typically implicates that the Docker service isn’t correctly set up on the operating system.

One of the common reasons could be incorrect environment variables, which make Docker fail to locate or communicate with its daemon process. Another possible reason is a misconfigured Docker client, causing it not to reach the Docker daemon.

There are various suggested fixes to address this problem:

– Check and update environment variables: It’s advised to verify whether the “DOCKER_HOST” environment variable is properly set. One can use the command

$ echo $DOCKER_HOST

to display its current value. If it’s incorrectly set, it should be fixed using the command

$ export DOCKER_HOST=unix:///var/run/docker.sock

– Reconfigure Docker client: One could also attempt to reconfigure the Docker client by explicitly setting the “dockerHost” in settings json file to point towards the correct Docker daemon. The relevant command would be

"docker.host":"unix:///var/run/docker.sock"

in your settings json file.

– Restart Docker service: If Docker still doesn’t operate after addressing above two points, then you might want to consider restarting Docker service via the command

$ sudo service docker restart

.

Remember, each solution might vary based upon specific system configurations, so it’s imperative to perfectly understand your system before making any changessource.If you’ve been encountering issues with Docker on Ubuntu WSL, it can be particularly displeasing when the error message “Cannot connect to the Docker daemon at docker.sock. Is the Docker daemon running?” pops up on your terminal.

To understand what this means, it’s first important to delineate what a Docker daemon is: Essentially, a Docker daemon is the background service that runs on the host operating system, responsible for building, running and managing Docker containers. When you run commands like

docker run

or

docker build

, these commands are sent from Docker client to Docker daemon.

So when Docker throws the “Cannot Connect” error, it’s essentially implying that the Docker client couldn’t send your request to the Docker daemon because it couldn’t find or connect to it. As a result, any attempt to run your Docker containers fails because no connection could be established between these two crucial elements of the Docker system.

In the context of Ubuntu WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux), some factors might lead to the aforementioned error:

– Docker daemon not running
– Insufficient user permissions
– Docker socket file issues

Docker Daemon Not Running

It’s possible that the Docker daemon isn’t running in the background, which would explain why the Docker client cannot connect. To check if the Docker daemon is running, use the command:

ps aux | grep dockerd

If no results are returned, then you know the Docker daemon isn’t running. To start it, use the command:

sudo systemctl start docker

Insufficient User Permissions

By default, Docker requires superuser permissions to execute commands. If you’re running Docker commands without ‘sudo’, it may cause Docker client to lack sufficient permissions to connect to the Docker daemon.

You can add your current user to the Docker group which has necessary permissions assigned by using the following command:

sudo usermod -aG docker ${USER}

Then try out whether Docker client can now communicate with the Docker daemon.

Docker Socket File Issues

Sometimes, the issue could be due to wrong location settings for the Docker socket file (

/var/run/docker.sock

). Check if the Docker socket file exists in the above directory. In case the file is located in a different path, updating the

DOCKER_HOST

variable in your bash profile to the correct location should help resolve the issue.

However, if running Docker natively is still yielding the same error, you have another option: Using Docker Desktop for Windows with WSL Integration [^1^]. With this approach, you’re delegating the responsibility of running Docker daemon to Docker Desktop.

To enable WSL Integration after installing Docker Desktop for Windows:

1. Access Docker Desktop Settings.
2. Navigate to ‘Resources’ –> ‘WSL Integration’.
3. Enable integration for the required distributions.

After starting a new WSL instance, running Docker commands won’t throw the Docker Daemon error anymore as Docker Desktop runs and manages the Docker daemon for you.

[^1^]: https://docs.docker.com/desktop/windows/wsl/

While debugging such errors, always remember to frequently check the Docker and System logs to figure out finer details surrounding the issue. Being proactive about log inspection will often guide you towards a quicker resolution of these types of errors.

When it comes to dealing with Docker on Ubuntu Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), the error “Cannot connect to the Docker daemon at docker.sock” often implies that Docker Daemon is not running. This can be frustrating, especially when you are working on urgent tasks. So let’s dive into how we can resolve this issue.

Firstly, it is fundamental to understand ‘

/var/run/docker.sock

‘. This is a Unix socket and Docker Daemon listens to it. It also serves as the primary entry point for Docker CLI. Thus, if it fails to establish a connection to the Docker daemon, this error prompts up.

Here are some steps you can follow to debug and fix the “Cannot connect to Docker daemon” issue:

Ensure Docker is Properly Installed and Running:

Use the

docker info

command to verify the status of your installation. A properly functioning Docker will display system-wide information pertaining to Docker. If you see an error or no output at all, then it proves Docker might not have been correctly installed or isn’t running. You should consider starting Docker if it isn’t running using the command:

sudo service docker start

.

Add User to Docker Group:

The next step would be adding the current user to the Docker group. Docker operates using a Unix socket that needs sudo access by default. To bypass this requirement, the default Docker setup creates a Unix group named docker. Run

sudo usermod -aG docker ${USER}

to add the user to Docker group. Reboot your system or log out and back in to make this change effective. Now try re-running the Docker commands without sudo.

Start Docker on Boot:

If Docker isn’t starting on boot, enable auto-start on boot using the following command:

sudo systemctl enable docker

. This will create a symbolic link indicating that the service should be started during the boot process.

After implementing these changes your Docker should now be operational. If the problem still persists, rechecking the Docker logs files might give an insight into other potential issues. Use the

journalctl -u docker.service

command to retrieve Docker service logs. These diagnostic steps are pretty comprehensive and have helped me troubleshoot and resolve most Docker related issues. Although containers and microservices may bring about their share of complications, resolving these problems enhance our understanding of these systems and boost our skill sets as developers.
Furthermore, Docker’s official documentation is an excellent resource which I cannot recommend enough.

  # Command to Start Docker If Not running
  sudo service docker start

  # Adding User To Docker Group
  sudo usermod -aG docker ${USER}

  # Enable Auto-Start on Boot
  sudo systemctl enable docker
  
  # Retrieve Docker Service Logs
  journalctl -u docker.service

 

First of all, it is apparent that you are running into issues with Docker particularly on an Ubuntu Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). You’re experiencing a common problem where the Docker daemon seems to be unresponsive, or as you’ve mentioned: “Cannot connect to the Docker daemon at docker.sock”.

In most instances, this error arises because the Docker service isn’t actually running. I’ll share with you a step-by-step approach on how to rectify the issue and get your Docker up and running:

– **Step 1: Check Docker Service Status**

First, let’s verify if the Docker service is running. Use the systemd manager to check its status.

sudo systemctl status docker

If Docker isn’t running, you’ll be able to see so in the output of the above command.

– **Step 2: Start Docker Service**

If Docker isn’t running, use the following command to start it:

sudo systemctl start docker

Running this command should start the Docker service. You can double-check it by running the status command again.

– **Step 3: Set Docker to Start at Boot**

It would be quite inconvenient to manually start Docker service every time your system boots up. Thus, you can set the Docker service to automatically start upon boot:

sudo systemctl enable docker

This is a general solution if the Docker service isn’t running. However, your issue might also be related to Docker’s socket file’s permissions. Consequently, conduct these steps:

– **Checking Socket File Permission**

In Docker, the Docker daemon binds to a Unix socket instead of a TCP port. Any user belonging to the ‘docker’ group can use the Docker daemon socket file (/var/run/docker.sock). If your user lacks the required permissions on this file, it could result in errors such as yours.

Run `ls` to display the associated rights of the sock file:

ls -l /var/run/docker.sock

If necessary, change the ownership or add your user to the ‘docker’ group:

– **Changing Ownership of Sock File**

Change the ownership using the chown command:

sudo chown [username]:docker /var/run/docker.sock

– **Adding User to Docker Group**

Adding your user to the Docker group will give it the required permissions:

sudo usermod -aG docker [username]

Remember to replace ‘[username]’ in the above commands with your actual username. Afterward, you may need to reboot your system for changes to take effect.

Taking these steps should solve your problem. If not, you may be facing compatibility issues between Docker and WSL due to certain missing elements. You might want to consider dealing with this by setting up Docker Desktop for Windows with WSL backend.(SOURCE). This sets up a compatible environment from the ground-up specifically tailored for Docker, providing less opportunity for issues to arise.

Bear in mind that debugging is intricate and often daunting—especially when dealing with complex systems like Docker and WSL. With flexibility and knowledge of these tools, you’ll conquer your current problem and be prepared for future ones.The Docker daemon error, particularly “Cannot connect to the Docker daemon,” is a common issue many developers face while trying to run Docker on Ubuntu Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). This error is often symptomatic of underlying conditions that are usually related to permission and configuration issues.

Related Conditions
To help identify these related conditions, consider examining your system for the following scenarios:

• User group configuration: When Docker is installed, it creates a Unix group called ‘docker’. If you, as the executing user, do not belong to this group, then you may encounter the Docker daemon error. In most cases, adding yourself to the Docker user group can resolve this.

$ sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

• Docker service status: Another key area to check is the status of your Docker service itself. The Docker daemon may not be running because the Docker service has not been started or enabled. Use systemd to verify the status, start and enable Docker.

$ sudo systemctl status docker

Symptoms
The symptoms leading up to the Docker daemon error can be varied but are generally associated with difficulties in executing Docker commands:

• Connection Errors: These come up when attempting to run Docker commands. Accessing a Docker command line interface (like bash) may return an error message like ‘Error response from daemon: Cannot start container [container ID]: [error details]’.

• Permission Issues: Trying to execute Docker operations without appropriate privileges often returns errors signaling unauthorized access.

• Service-Related Concerns: You may notice your Docker containers stop unexpectedly or don’t respond at all, prompting disruptions in services dependent on Docker.

By keeping an eye out for the signs mentioned above, rectifying issues can be more straightforward and less time-consuming. Remember, a vibrant community of professionals surrounds technologies such as Docker. It’s always useful to reach out, ask queries, corroborate solutions, and learn from their experiences on platforms like Docker Forums and Stack Overflow.

Tackling these symptoms and understanding the related conditions can pave the way for successful Docker execution on Ubuntu WSL. Always remember, the key is identifying and addressing these elements rather than focusing solely on the Docker daemon error itself. Happy Dockering!

References
Post-installation steps for Linux | Docker Documentation
Configure and troubleshoot the Docker daemon | Docker Documentation
There’s a common issue faced by many developers where Docker fails to run on Ubuntu WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) due to an error stating “Cannot connect to the Docker daemon at docker.sock. Is the Docker Daemon running?” Understanding why this issue occurs and how to resolve it can save numerous coding headaches, so let’s dive into both aspects.

Why this Issue Occurs

The primary reason behind encountering this error is due to the Docker Daemon not being active or properly connected within your Ubuntu WSL environment. It can be related to diverse factors:

• The Daemon might simply not have been started, which leaves Docker incapable of creating or managing any containers.
• The path that Docker client uses to communicate with the Docker Daemon (which is typically /var/run/docker.sock) is unavailable or has been misconfigured.
• The Docker user group does not contain your current logged-in user. In such scenarios, the user lacks the necessary permissions to interact with Docker’s Unix socket.

Possible Solutions

Should you encounter this issue, there are a few solutions you can try out:

–Start the Docker Daemon:

Before anything else, ensure that the Docker Daemon is active. On Ubuntu WSL, you usually achieve this with the command:

sudo service docker start

If Docker was merely inactive, this solution should rectify the problem.

–Check Docker’s Unix Socket:

You must ascertain that Docker’s Unix socket file, located by default at /var/run/docker.sock, exists and is accessible. You can use ls and chmod commands in this regard:

ls -l /var/run/docker.sock

If necessary, alter file permissions using chmod to allow access:

sudo chmod 666 /var/run/docker.sock

–Add User to Docker Group:

Add your currently logged-in user to the Docker group if you’ve not done so already. This inclusion will grant it necessary privileges for Docker interaction:

sudo usermod -aG docker ${USER}

Afterwards, log out and log back in for changes to take effect.

Working Around Using Docker Desktop

If you’re running Docker on Windows with WSL, another workaround entails utilizing Docker Desktop’s built-in functionality to expose the Docker Daemon on localhost.

In the Docker Desktop settings, find the option ‘Expose daemon on tcp://localhost:2375 without TLS’ under the general settings and enable it. This action equips you with the ability to set the DOCKER_HOST environmental variable within your Ubuntu WSL instance to be this TCP socket instead of the traditional Unix socket.

This is achieved by placing the following line in your .bashrc (or .zshrc depending on the shell in use):

export DOCKER_HOST=tcp://localhost:2375

Remember to source this file after modifying:

source ~/.bashrc

However, note this approach potentially introduces security risks as your Docker daemon becomes exposed without any Transport Layer Security on the network interface.

Such are some of the reasons it could be that lead to the ‘Cannot connect to the Docker daemon at Unix:///var/run/docker.sock. Is the dockerd(Docker Daemon) running?’ question along with ways to address them. Acknowledging these fine details about Docker development enables you to deal with such inconsistencies efficiently to minimize disruption to your workflow.

Docker Documentation
Docker Blog
A common issue when running Docker on Ubuntu WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) is encountering an error message that states: “Cannot connect to the Docker daemon at docker.sock. Is the Docker daemon running?”. This issue usually happens due to a mismatch between client and server versions, insufficient user permissions, or other connectivity issues.

One of the initial steps to troubleshoot this issue involves checking whether your Docker daemon is up and running, which can be done through the command

sudo dockerd

. Following this, you might want to apply a series of potential solutions:

Firstly, try adding your user to the Docker group to resolve any permission-based issues. Use the command:

sudo usermod -aG docker ${USER}

You would then need to log out and back in so these changes take effect.

Secondly, you could specify the Docker host manually. You need to export the DOCKER_HOST environment variable by appending the line to your .bashrc or .zshrc file similar to:

export DOCKER_HOST=tcp://localhost:2375

If Docker still isn’t connecting, check both Docker client and server versions. They should match in order to function correctly together. You can check your Docker version with the command:

docker version

Sometimes the issue might lie with the link to the docker.sock file. To rectify this, you could attempt recreating the symbolic link as follows:

sudo ln -sf /var/run/docker.sock /var/run/docker.sock

Ensure that Docker Desktop’s settings allow integration with WSL. To do this, you would need to navigate to Docker’s settings, and under ‘General’, ensure ‘Expose daemon on tcp://localhost:2375 without TLS’ is checked. Then, under ‘Resources > WSL INTEGRATION’, make sure ‘Enable integration with my default WSL distro’ is also checked.

An important note to keep in mind is that Ubuntu WSL does not support systemd, thus Docker’s traditional start-up methods may not work as expected. As an alternative, consider using the WSL utility, wslu, specifically the wslsys component[¹](https://wslutilsgithub.io/WSL-DistroLauncher/Methods/#wslsys). This allows networking between Windows and WSL, which facilitates Docker’s operation on a WSL environment.

For code-specific issue, remember to clear your build cache with:

docker system prune --all

Naturally, troubleshooting such a complex problem can involve a range of factors and your mileage may vary depending on your specific system configuration. The outlined points serve as common points of failure and typical remedies for them. Keep in mind that persistence goes hand in hand with the problem-solving process when dealing with containerization tools and environments like Docker and WSL.

Here is how to use HTML table syntax to create a summary of the suggested solutions:

sudo usermod -aG docker ${USER}

export DOCKER_HOST=tcp://localhost:2375

docker version

sudo ln -sf /var/run/docker.sock /var/run/docker.sock

docker system prune --all

Primarily, the error “Cannot connect to the docker daemon at unix:///var/run/docker.sock” that you’re encountering on Ubuntu WSL warns about an issue while attempting to get in touch with the Docker daemon. This can be triggered by a few known common problems:

Misconfigureation of User permissions:
Under usual circumstances, the Docker daemon is running as a root user. To establish a connection with it, other users would need to have permissions for the docker socket (`/var/run/docker.sock`). Should these permissions be misconfigured or lacking, it leads to this error.
A regularly applied solution aims at adding your user into the Docker group. A command skeleton to achieve this purpose looks like

sudo usermod -a -G docker $USER

.

Note: This method carries potential security dangers. Adding a non-root user to the Docker group equals to providing root privileges, as such a user would gain improper access to critical system utilities.

Docker Daemon not Running:
The error message does suggest directly that Docker daemon might be failing to run. If you forget to kick it off or if there’s an execution problem leading its premature stop, you end up facing this issue. The two commands below allow to start the Docker daemon and enable its auto-start upon boot:

sudo systemctl start docker

sudo systemctl enable docker

Operating Behind a Firewall or Proxy:
In case you are working through a network firewall or proxy which puts restrictions on outgoing connections, Docker may be blocked from accessing the internet which would inhibit it from creating needed connections leading to your error.
You would typically have to configure Docker and your shell with accurate proxy settings. These settings generally depend on the specifics of your network setup hence don’t universally apply.

So how do we bring this analysis closer to our topic, “Docker Not Running On Ubuntu Wsl Due To Error Cannot Connect To The Docker Daemon At Docker.Sock Is The Docker Daemon Running”?

Considering that you’re operating with WSL on Ubuntu, there’s a higher likelihood that you’ve Docker installed both locally on your Windows and inside the WSL distribution. Here is where a simple confusion might be sparking the error you’re facing.

When you use `docker` commands within the WSL command line, it might default to using Docker installation exclusively within WSL. However, there might be no running Docker service in this environment leading to the daemon unavailability. Consequently, you’ll want to reconfigure WSL for utilizing Docker that runs on your main Windows system. Herein underlies a sample set of environmental variables you should define:

 export DOCKER_HOST=tcp://localhost:2375

export DOCKER_DRIVER=overlay

Assuring these existing on your `.bashrc` file, you reinstate them every time you open up new WSL terminal window.

Bear in mind that letting Docker Desktop exposing daemon without TLS could pose a security risk. So, unless you’re operating within a homely and trusted network, turning on password-protected sharing might judiciously add an extra layer of security.

See also

Linux

E: The Repository Http://Ppa.Launchpad.Net/Certbot/Certbot/Ubuntu Focal Release Does Not Have A Release File

The official Docker Docs (source) is a superb, detailed guide for diagnosing further complications associated with Docker-on-WSL arrangement, especially those related to starting and configuring Docker daemon among others.

Comprehending the origins for “cannot connect to the docker daemon at unix:///var/run/docker.sock” error, particularly when Docker is run on Ubuntu distributive via WSL, greatly simplifies its solutions. As you tackle possible challenges surrounding permission issues, ensuring Docker daemon runs or even establishing correct configurations when using Docker both locally on Windows and inside WSL, you will find yourself confidently managing Docker functionalities in diverse environments professionally.Breaking down the issue of ‘docker daemon not running’ relating to Docker not running on Ubuntu WSL due to the error message, “Cannot connect to the Docker daemon at docker.sock”, we can consider a few alternate solutions.

Understanding the Problem:

To comprehend the trouble faced, it’s essential to organize the problem in hand. The issue is specifically concerning users attempting to use Docker within a Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), particularly Ubuntu. Attempting to initiate Docker results in the error message,

Error: Cannot connect to the Docker daemon at docker.sock. Is the Docker daemon running?

This error arises when Docker cannot establish a connection to the Docker daemon – usually because the daemon isn’t running at all.

Assuming that you have installed Docker and Docker Compose correctly, here are some potential approaches for resolving this stubborn dilemma.

How to Troubleshoot It?

Solution 1: Check If Docker Service is Running

The primary method attempts to solve the problem by checking whether the Docker service is running or not. Run the following command to test this:

sudo service docker start

In case the Docker service was off, running the above command should start it and thus resolve your issue.

Solution 2: Give Non-root User Access to Docker

A common mistake seen is users trying to access Docker without having the required permissions. To solve this, you can try adding your current user to the Docker group with this command:

sudo usermod -aG docker ${USER}

Log out and log back in so that your group membership is re-evaluated.

Subsequently, confirm that your user is added to the Docker group by using the command:

groups

If the mentioned solution doesn’t resolve the issue, restart the Docker service and try again.

Solution 3: Modify Docker Socket Permissions

Another possible source for the error is inappropriate permission settings for the Docker socket file. You could attempt to modify these permissions by implementing the following command:

sudo chmod 666 /var/run/docker.sock

Those `666` permissions will ensure everyone can read and write to the Docker socket.

Remember, such an operation might pose a considerable security risk, especially if performed on a public server.

Solution 4: Use Docker Inside a Custom WSL Distribution

It’s crucial to note that Docker is not supported officially on WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux)source . This might be behind the recurrent issues you observe while operating Docker on WSL. Besides, Ubuntu, which is often utilized for WSL, also tends to be unsupportive of some Docker features.

You could implement a workaround by coding Docker based applications inside a custom WSL distribution like Pengwin.

Each of these proposed solutions can potentially solve the trouble encountered regarding Docker’s inability to run on Ubuntu WSL, yielding the error, “Cannot connect to the Docker daemon at docker.sock”. These solutions cater mainly to challenges with service status, user access permissions, correct socket permissions, and seamless compatibility with the working platform.From a professional coder’s viewpoint, when “cannot connect to the docker daemon” error occurs during Ubuntu-WSL-Docker setup, it can be quite vexing and may halt your work process. But not to worry, if you’ve encountered such a problem, I’m here to guide you on how to avoid this trouble in the future.

The main cause: The key reason for this error is that Docker is not running when you try to execute Docker commands. In other words, Docker daemon cannot be communicated through its Unix socket file docker.sock.

Therefore, implementing precautions against this error involves ensuring a smooth connection between Docker CLI and Docker daemon & securely configuring Docker’s Unix socket, while maintaining the full functionality of Docker on your Ubuntu WSL environment.

Here are some strategies to implement:

• Enable Docker Daemon upon Starting Ubuntu WSL: This ensures that Docker daemon is always running whenever you’re working in Ubuntu WSL environment. To auto-start Docker daemon, you can add the start command in your shell’s start-up script like .bashrc or .zshrc.

echo "sudo service docker start" >> ~/.bashrc

Or alternatively, you can create a systemd service which automatically starts Docker daemon at Ubuntu boot time.

• Configure Docker User Group: Docker daemon binds to a Unix socket instead of a TCP port by default and that Unix socket is owned by the user root. Hence, some Docker commands might only be run as root to interact with docker.sock.

To avoid this, you should add your specific user to Docker user group, named ‘docker’, which has read/write permissions to the Docker socket.

sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
newgrp docker 

• Integrating Docker Desktop (for Windows) with WSL: Docker Desktop for Windows has robust integration with WSL 2. When Docker Desktop is set up to use WSL 2 backend, any Docker command you run in your Ubuntu WSL is passed onto Docker Desktop, which then runs the command against its Docker daemon. You won’t have to start or manage Docker daemon in Ubuntu WSL anymore and this significantly reduces the chances of getting ‘cannot connect to the Docker daemon’ errors.

However, ensure to update Docker Desktop settings to include your Ubuntu WSL distribution.

Above all, always double-check whether Docker service is running if you encounter this error. You can simply begin Docker service by:

sudo service docker start

You might want to remember that giving proper permissions, maintaining system updates, and troubleshooting consistently are going to be very vital in your coding journey. As a coder, you never stop evolving, constantly learning from mistakes and taking strategic steps to avoid them in the future.

Take references from official documents as they’re usually most accurate; for Docker, check out their official documentation.Ensuring the smooth running of Docker on Ubuntu via Windows Subsystem for Linux involves following best practices and troubleshooting common problems such as being unable to connect to the Docker daemon. When addressing this error, an understanding of the underlying cause – Docker’s dependency on a system daemon process – is vital.

Firstly, bear in mind that Docker operates as a client-server application, where a background service (daemon) runs and processes requests. The dialogue between the Docker client and daemon happens through a REST API over UNIX sockets or network interfaces. Therefore, when you encounter this error “Cannot connect to the Docker daemon at Unix:///var/run/docker.sock”, it usually means either the Docker daemon is not running, or your user does not have correct permissions.

Here are some practices and solutions to consider:

Solution One: Correct Docker Daemon

If the Docker daemon is not running, you need to manually initiate it. This can be done using Systemd configurations:

$ sudo systemctl start docker

Then check if the service is running:

$ sudo systemctl status docker

Solution Two: User Permissions

Sometimes users might not have enough privileges to execute Docker commands, which results in errors since Docker requires super-user permissions (admin rights). To bypass having to use super-user every time, add the regular user to the Docker group:

$ sudo usermod -aG docker ${USER}

Monitoring Docker Compose

Continuously monitor Docker compose. Docker compose commands might sometimes misbehave, especially when used with WSL for Docker-compose up/down command. If they hang-up without displaying any error, perform a winpty docker-compose up (replace “up” with any other Docker-compose command).

Choosing the Right WSL Version

Ensure Dockers for Windows is using WSL 2 backend. The first version of WSL had substantial limitations, such as the lack of kernel services, which led to an inability to run Docker natively. WSL 2 released in June 2020 handles these problems by shipping a full Linux kernel, delivering improved performance and compatibility over its predecessor.

Running Docker Desktop Service

Make sure Docker Desktop Service is running in Windows Services. If it’s not, try starting it. Docker on Windows essentially creates a VM and exposes the Docker daemon to WSL. If Docker Desktop isn’t running, there’s no Docker daemon to connect to.

Installing Docker in WSL directly

Directly install Docker in your WSL distribution might not be recommended due to limitations with the first version of WSL, but it’s perfectly viable using WSL 2. To simplify the installation and avoid Locale issues, use the script provided by Docker to get the latest version:

https://get.docker.com/

Referring to resources and documentation put forward by Docker and WSL communities provide a way to understand and troubleshoot such issues. Docker has comprehensive guides on how to install Docker Engine on Ubuntu systems while Microsoft provides detailed pages on how to manage WSL.

In summary, follow these best practices to minimize common Docker-WSL conflicts: always track Docker services, ensure communication between Docker client and server, grant sufficient user privileges, monitor Docker compose, run the right WSL version, keep Docker Desktop Service running, and consider installing Docker directly in WSL.So you’ve come face-to-face with the infuriatingly common issue – Docker not running on Ubuntu WSL due to an error “Cannot connect to the Docker daemon at docker.sock. Is the Docker daemon running?”. This problem can put a major speed bump in your development workflow, and it’s important to know how to address it promptly and effectively.

First off, let’s dive into why this error might be cropping up. When you’re trying to run Docker commands without proper permissions or perhaps even under the wrong user, your system will fail to access `

docker.sock

` file, leading to this error. Lack of driver support from Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) can also contribute to this error.[source]

Now, onto solutions!

• Use sudo: Simple yet effective, simply prefix your Docker commands with ‘sudo’. For example:

  sudo docker ps

• Change Docker socket permissions: If you’d prefer not to use ‘sudo’, try changing Docker socket permissions with

  sudo chmod 666 /var/run/docker.sock

  .

• Using Docker within a group: The true permanent solution lies in adding your username to the ‘docker’ group using command:

  sudo usermod -aG docker ${USER}

  . Logout and log back in, and voila, error resolved!

• Install correct drivers: If driver issues are getting in the way, go ahead and update or reinstall drivers that support Linux kernel.[source]

Just remember – if Docker is throwing this error on WSL Ubuntu, there might be more than one underlying cause. Use the above solutions as a checklist to debug and tackle this issue one step at a time. Most importantly, don’t lose sight of the valuable thing Docker brings – the ability to containerize applications so they operate reliably and consistently across different environments.

In the exhilarating but often complex world of software development, encountering problems is par for the course, but armed with patience and resourcefulness, you can quickly reorient yourself towards successful coding. So whenever you see the message “Cannot connect to the Docker daemon at docker.sock. Is the Docker daemon running?”, don’t worry, you’ve got this. After all, every problem you solve is just another opportunity to add another tool to your developer’s toolkit.