How To Fix An Unexpected Error Was Encountered While Executing A WSL Command

When working with Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), encountering an error can disrupt your workflow and productivity.

One such issue that might stump both beginners and experienced users alike is the “An unexpected error was encountered while executing a WSL command. Common causes include access rights issues, which occur after waking the computer or not being connected to your domain/active directory.”

This blog will explore some of the most effective methods to fix this unexpected error, from adjusting access rights to modifying service settings and beyond.

Let’s dive into the common causes and fixes for the “An unexpected error was encountered while executing a WSL command” so you can return to a seamless coding experience on your Windows machine.

How To Fix An Unexpected Error Was Encountered While Executing A WSL Command?

To fix “An Unexpected Error Was Encountered While Executing a WSL Command”, you can restart the WSL service, reinstall WSL, and restart the Docker desktop. You can also delete and recreate docker config files.

1. Restart WSL

A simple restart of the WSL service can sometimes resolve the issue. 

• Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
• Type services.msc and press Enter to open the Services console.
• In the Services window, scroll down and find the ‘LxssManager’ service. This service is responsible for managing the Linux subsystem.
• Right-click on ‘LxssManager’ and select ‘Restart’ from the context menu. If the service is not running, you can start it by clicking ‘Start’.

2. Restart Docker Desktop

If you’re using Docker Desktop, try closing and reopening the application, or restarting your computer, which can often resolve temporary glitches.

• Close Docker Desktop by right-clicking the Docker icon in the system tray and selecting “Quit Docker Desktop.”
• Reopen Docker Desktop from the Start menu.

3. Reinstall WSL

If the above steps don’t work, you may need to reinstall WSL. 

• Open PowerShell as Administrator.
• Run the command: wsl --install and tap Enter.
• Restart your computer if prompted.
• After the restart, open the Linux distribution from the Start menu.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to set up a user account and password for your Linux distribution.

4. Delete And Recreate Docker Config Files

• Navigate to the Docker config directory, typically located at C:\Users\[Your User Name]\.docker\ or within your Linux distribution home directory.
• Delete the config files (or move them to a backup location).
• Restart Docker to generate new config files.

5. Check For Known Issues

Visit the Docker for Windows GitHub issues page or Docker community forums.

Search for the error message to see if others have encountered and resolved the same issue.

Apply any suggested fixes that are relevant to your situation.