Docker Desktop requires a newer WSL kernel version – Docker

The Problem:

Docker Desktop requires a newer WSL kernel version. The user has installed Docker on Windows 11 and is getting this error. They have checked the WSL version, which is 1.1.3.0, and it is compatible with Docker’s requirements. However, the user is still encountering the error and is unsure of the cause.

The Solutions:

Solution 1: Enable WSL 1 and Install WSL 2 Update

To resolve the issue, follow these steps:

1. Open the Control Panel and navigate to "Programs" > "Turn Windows features on or off."
2. Check the boxes for "Windows Subsystem For Linux," "Windows Hypervisor Platform," and "Virtual Machine Platform." Click "OK."
3. Launch PowerShell as an administrator and run:

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

   to enable WSL 1.

4. Install the WSL 2 update by running:

   wsl.exe --install
   

   or

   wsl.exe --update
   

5. Set WSL 2 as the default version by running:

   wsl --set-default-version 2
   

6. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Solution 2: Update WSL Kernel

You can update your WSL kernel by running the following command in a command prompt:

wsl --update

If you continue to experience issues, refer to the following resource for additional guidance:

How to Update WSL Kernel on Windows 11

Video Explanation:

The following video, titled "How to fix: Docker desktop requires a newer wsl kernel version on ...", provides additional insights and in-depth exploration related to the topics discussed in this post.

This video provides further insights and detailed explanations related to the content discussed in the article.