This error occurs when Docker Desktop on Windows cannot start because the WSL 2 Linux kernel is outdated.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.
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.
The simplest fix is to update WSL from the command line. Open PowerShell or Command Prompt as Administrator and run:
wsl --updateThis command downloads and installs the latest WSL kernel from Microsoft. After the update completes, restart Docker Desktop.
If the standard update command doesn't work (common in corporate environments with restricted Microsoft Store access), force a web download:
wsl --update --web-downloadThis bypasses the Microsoft Store and downloads the update directly from Microsoft's servers.
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.
After updating, verify WSL is properly configured:
wsl --versionYou should see output showing WSL version 2.1.5 or higher, along with the kernel version. If the command isn't recognized, try:
wsl -l -vThis shows your installed distributions and their WSL versions.
Ensure WSL 2 is set as the default for new distributions:
wsl --set-default-version 2If you have existing WSL 1 distributions, upgrade them:
wsl --set-version Ubuntu 2Replace 'Ubuntu' with your distribution name from wsl -l -v.
If the update still fails, ensure the required Windows features are enabled. Run PowerShell as Administrator:
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestartRestart your computer, then run wsl --update again.
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)
After updating WSL, fully restart the WSL subsystem:
wsl --shutdownWait a few seconds, then start Docker Desktop. The error should be resolved. If Docker still shows issues, restart your computer for a clean state.
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.
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