How to fix WSL 2 requires an update to its kernel component in Docker

DockerBEGINNERMEDIUMUpdated Dec 1, 2025· 1,612 views

This error occurs when Docker Desktop on Windows cannot start because the WSL 2 Linux kernel is outdated. The fix is straightforward: update WSL using the command line or download the kernel update manually from Microsoft.

Quick fix

Fixes WSL 2 requires an update to its kernel component

wsl --update
  1. Update WSL using the command line
  2. Use web download if standard update fails
  3. Manually download and install the WSL kernel update
  4. Verify your WSL version
docker — error
wsl --update
WSL 2 requires an update to its kernel component

What this error means

Docker Desktop on Windows uses WSL 2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) as its backend to run Linux containers. WSL 2 includes a full Linux kernel maintained by Microsoft that Docker relies on for container operations. When you see 'WSL 2 requires an update to its kernel component,' it means Docker Desktop detected that your installed WSL 2 kernel version is too old to support the features Docker needs. Docker Desktop requires at minimum WSL version 2.1.5, and newer versions of Docker Desktop may require even more recent kernel versions (such as 5.15.146.1-2 or higher). This error commonly appears after installing Docker Desktop on a fresh Windows installation, after a Windows update that reset WSL components, or when upgrading to a newer version of Docker Desktop that has increased kernel requirements.

Typical symptoms

  • Docker Desktop fails to start with 'WSL 2 requires an update to its kernel component' error
  • Error message includes a link to https://aka.ms/wsl2kernel
  • System.InvalidOperationException: Failed to deploy distro docker-desktop
  • Docker Desktop shows 'Starting...' indefinitely then fails
  • Error code 0x800701bc appears during WSL distribution registration
  • Docker worked previously but stopped after a Windows update

Common causes

  1. WSL 2 Linux kernel is outdated and needs to be updated
  2. Fresh Windows installation without the latest WSL kernel
  3. Windows update reset or downgraded WSL components
  4. Docker Desktop upgraded to version requiring newer kernel
  5. WSL kernel update package was never installed
  6. Corporate/enterprise policies blocking automatic WSL updates

How to fix "WSL 2 requires an update to its kernel component"

1Update WSL using the command line

The simplest fix is to update WSL from the command line. Open PowerShell or Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

powershell
wsl --update

This command downloads and installs the latest WSL kernel from Microsoft. After the update completes, restart Docker Desktop.

2Use web download if standard update fails

If the standard update command doesn't work (common in corporate environments with restricted Microsoft Store access), force a web download:

powershell
wsl --update --web-download

This bypasses the Microsoft Store and downloads the update directly from Microsoft's servers.

3Manually download and install the WSL kernel update

If command-line updates fail, download the kernel update manually:

1. Visit https://aka.ms/wsl2kernel
2. Download the wsl_update_x64.msi file (or wsl_update_arm64.msi for ARM devices)
3. Run the MSI installer
4. Restart your computer
5. Start Docker Desktop

This is the most reliable method when automatic updates are blocked.

4Verify your WSL version

After updating, verify WSL is properly configured:

powershell
wsl --version

You should see output showing WSL version 2.1.5 or higher, along with the kernel version. If the command isn't recognized, try:

powershell
wsl -l -v

This shows your installed distributions and their WSL versions.

5Set WSL 2 as the default version

Ensure WSL 2 is set as the default for new distributions:

powershell
wsl --set-default-version 2

If you have existing WSL 1 distributions, upgrade them:

powershell
wsl --set-version Ubuntu 2

Replace 'Ubuntu' with your distribution name from wsl -l -v.

6Enable required Windows features

If the update still fails, ensure the required Windows features are enabled. Run PowerShell as Administrator:

powershell
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart

Restart your computer, then run wsl --update again.

7Check virtualization is enabled in BIOS

WSL 2 requires hardware virtualization. Check if it's enabled:

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc)
2. Go to Performance tab > CPU
3. Look for 'Virtualization: Enabled'

If virtualization is disabled, restart your computer and enter BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing F2, F12, or Del during boot). Enable:
- Intel VT-x (Intel CPUs)
- AMD-V or SVM Mode (AMD CPUs)

8Restart WSL and Docker after updates

After updating WSL, fully restart the WSL subsystem:

powershell
wsl --shutdown

Wait a few seconds, then start Docker Desktop. The error should be resolved. If Docker still shows issues, restart your computer for a clean state.

Advanced notes

Minimum Version Requirements: Docker Desktop requires WSL version 2.1.5 at minimum, but recommends using the latest version. Newer Docker Desktop releases may require kernel version 5.15.146.1-2 or higher. The manual MSI installer from https://aka.ms/wsl2kernel may provide an older version (5.10.102.2), so using wsl --update --web-download is preferred.

Corporate Environments: If your organization blocks Windows Update or Microsoft Store, you may need to request the WSL kernel update package from your IT department or use the manual MSI installer.

Windows Version Compatibility: WSL 2 requires Windows 10 version 1903 (Build 18362) or higher for x64 systems, or version 2004 (Build 19041) for ARM64. Run winver to check your Windows version.

Offline Updates: For air-gapped environments, download the kernel update MSI from another machine and transfer it. The latest kernel source is available at https://github.com/microsoft/WSL2-Linux-Kernel.

Warning About Updates: Some users have reported issues after WSL updates breaking existing distributions. If you have critical data in WSL, back it up before updating using wsl --export.

Frequently asked questions

What does "WSL 2 requires an update to its kernel component" mean?
Docker Desktop on Windows uses WSL 2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) as its backend to run Linux containers. WSL 2 includes a full Linux kernel maintained by Microsoft that Docker relies on for container operations. When you see 'WSL 2 requires an update to its kernel component,' it means Docker Desktop detected that your installed WSL 2 kernel version is too old to support the features Docker needs.
How do I fix "WSL 2 requires an update to its kernel component"?
This error occurs when Docker Desktop on Windows cannot start because the WSL 2 Linux kernel is outdated. The fix is straightforward: update WSL using the command line or download the kernel update manually from Microsoft.
What causes "WSL 2 requires an update to its kernel component"?
WSL 2 Linux kernel is outdated and needs to be updated Fresh Windows installation without the latest WSL kernel Windows update reset or downgraded WSL components
Is the "WSL 2 requires an update to its kernel component" error serious?
It is a medium-severity error — more of a blocker than a risk. The steps above resolve it.

Official resources & further reading