Docker desktop won't start after update

[welja]

Bug report

After clicking the docker-desktop button, nothing happens.

Via commandline:
C:\Program Files\Docker\Docker\frontend>
[BUGSNAG] Loaded! In main process.
Electron binary was executed directly, will delegate to Docker Desktop backends
open Windows binary C:\Program Files\Docker\Docker\Docker Desktop.exe
[14828:0512/083541.385:ERROR:content\browser\network_service_instance_impl.cc:610] Network service crashed or was terminated, restarting service.
[14828:0512/083541.502:ERROR:content\browser\gpu\gpu_process_host.cc:1004] GPU process exited unexpectedly: exit_code=1

steps i tried:
I have done a wsl -shutdown and tried to start docker
I have started wsl agains and tried to start docker

Platform

Windows

Version information

C:\Program Files\Docker\Docker\frontend>docker version && docker info
Client:
 Version:           29.4.3
 API version:       1.54
 Go version:        go1.26.2
 Git commit:        055a478
 Built:             Wed May  6 17:10:36 2026
 OS/Arch:           windows/amd64
 Context:           desktop-linux
failed to connect to the docker API at npipe:////./pipe/dockerDesktopLinuxEngine; check if the path is correct and if the daemon is running: open //./pipe/dockerDesktopLinuxEngine: The system cannot find the file specified.

Diagnostics ID

752DF062-3B64-4EB5-9263-5F04B42A6D2D/20260512062745

[welja]

After downloading docker desktop again, it said i have the lastest version installed. Still did not work.
De-installing and then installing did work. Got a huge banner about docker subscription, but finally started docker desktop.

Of course my out of date containers need to be rebuild and their repro's have changed, so i can waste this day on fixing that.

Thanks for this wonderful update.

[Harm-Olthof]

I have the same problem. But in addition I note that the wsl docker-desktop distro is in a continous state of installing:
wsl -l -v
NAME STATE VERSION

• Ubuntu Running 2
  docker-desktop Installing 2
  Anyone have an idea how to restart the install process?

[Harm-Olthof]

I have the same problem. But I addition I note that the wsl docker desktop distro is in a continous state of installing: wsl -l -v NAME STATE VERSION

* Ubuntu            Running         2
  docker-desktop    Installing      2
  Anyone have an idea how to restart the install process?

This worked for me, and saved my containers & volumes, running from an elevated powershell shell:
(some credits go to ChatGPT).

Stop Docker processes

taskkill /F /IM "Docker Desktop.exe"
taskkill /F /IM "com.docker.backend.exe"
taskkill /F /IM "com.docker.service"

Stop WSL cleanly

wsl --shutdown

Update WSL itself

wsl --update

Restart the WSL service

Stop-Service WslService
Start-Service WslService

Only remove the control distro, NOT the data distro

wsl --unregister docker-desktop

restart docker desktop directly (not the via the menu link)

& "C:\Program Files\Docker\Docker\Docker Desktop.exe"

[Harm-Olthof]

one addition: the last cmd: & "C:\Program Files\Docker\Docker\Docker Desktop.exe" should be given from a fresh, non-elevated powershell cli. (else docker sandbox ... does not work)

[markeissler]

Not sure if this helps anyone on Windows but I've been able to start desktop via PowerToys Command Palette. Not sure what it does differently because using PowerToys Run or the Windows Start menu results in desktop trying to launch (starts a bunch of procs that quickly disappear in Task Manager) as being reported here. I've now started and quit desktop and restarted twice using Command Palette. I know it's not exhaustive but I just want to get on with my day.

[artmouse]

Not working link

Working link

[bsousaa]

can you please generate diagnostics ids?

[artmouse]

@bsousaa
Uploaded diagnostics to: https://docker-pinata-support.s3.amazonaws.com/incoming/3/6F79AE51-FD1E-40C2-B52F-E54ABA898F84/20260512175658.zip
Diagnostics ID: 6F79AE51-FD1E-40C2-B52F-E54ABA898F84/20260512175658 (uploaded)

[F21]

Editing the shortcut in the start menu per @artmouse 's comment worked for me.

[bsousaa]

We released 4.73.1 that should fix this issue. Can you please give it a try?

[artmouse]

I confirm update 4.73.1 fixed a bug where Docker Desktop's own Electron processes were incorrectly killed when launching from the Start menu.

But latest updates requires elevation...

An error occurred during the update process:
fork/exec C:\Users\netmo\AppData\Local\Temp\DockerDesktopUpdates\Docker Desktop Installer (226574).exe: The requested operation requires elevation.