DevOps Shack
50 Docker Errors & Resolutions
1. Docker Daemon Not Running
Error: Cannot connect to the Docker daemon. Is the docker daemon running on this host?
Cause: Docker daemon is not running.
Resolution:
• Start the Docker service:
sudo systemctl start docker
• Verify the status:
sudo systemctl status docker
2. Docker Permission Denied
Error: permission denied while trying to connect to the Docker daemon socket
Cause: User not added to the docker group.
Resolution:
• Add the user to the Docker group:
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
• Log out and log back in to apply changes.
3. Port Already in Use
Error: Bind for 0.0.0.0:80 failed: port is already allocated
Cause: Port conflict with another process.
Resolution:
• Identify the process using the port:
sudo netstat -tuln | grep 80
• Stop the conflicting service or use a different port in the Docker run command:
docker run -p 8080:80 ...
4. Image Pull Error
Error: Error response from daemon: pull access denied
Cause: Image not found or requires authentication.
Resolution:
• Verify the image name and tag.
• Log in to Docker Hub:
docker login
5. Cannot Remove Container
Error: Error response from daemon: container is in use by a running process
Cause: Container is still running.
Resolution:
• Stop and remove the container:
docker stop <container_id>
docker rm <container_id>
6. Volume Not Mounting
Error: Error mounting volume: invalid mount path
Cause: Incorrect volume path.
Resolution:
• Ensure the source directory exists on the host.
• Use absolute paths for volume mounts:
docker run -v /host/path:/container/path ...
7. Docker Build Context Too Large
Error: Error: file size limit exceeded
Cause: Large files or directories included in the build context.
Resolution:
• Use a .dockerignore file to exclude unnecessary files.
Example .dockerignore:
node_modules/
.git/
8. Network Not Found
Error: Error: network <network_name> not found
Cause: Network doesn't exist.
Resolution:
• Create the network:
docker network create <network_name>
• Connect the container to the correct network.
9. Container Exited Immediately
Error: Exited (0) or Exited (1)
Cause: Container process ends due to incorrect commands or script issues.
Resolution:
• Check container logs:
docker logs <container_id>
• Run the container interactively to debug:
docker run -it <image_name> /bin/bash
10. Disk Space Full
Error: no space left on device
Cause: Docker is using too much disk space.
Resolution:
• Clean up unused resources:
docker system prune -a
11. Dockerfile Command Not Found
Error: unknown instruction: <command>
Cause: Typo or invalid Dockerfile command.
Resolution:
• Ensure proper syntax and valid commands in the Dockerfile.
• Reference the Dockerfile documentation.
12. Image Build Fails
Error: Error response from daemon: failed to build image
Cause: Incorrect Dockerfile configuration.
Resolution:
• Check Dockerfile for syntax or command errors.
• Run step-by-step build with:
docker build --progress=plain .
13. Container Name Already In Use
Error: Conflict: The container name <name> is already in use
Cause: Duplicate container name.
Resolution:
• Remove the conflicting container or use a unique name:
docker rm <container_name>
14. High CPU/Memory Usage
Cause: Resource-intensive containers.
Resolution:
• Limit resources in docker run:
docker run --memory=512m --cpus=1 ...
15. DNS Issues in Containers
Error: Temporary failure in name resolution
Cause: Network or DNS configuration issue.
Resolution:
• Set DNS servers explicitly:
docker run --dns=8.8.8.8 ...
16. Permission Denied on Files
Error: Permission denied
Cause: File permissions mismatch.
Resolution:
• Ensure correct permissions on host files.
• Use chown in the container if necessary.
17. Docker Compose Not Found
Error: docker-compose: command not found
Cause: Docker Compose not installed.
Resolution:
• Install Docker Compose:
sudo apt install docker-compose
18. Cannot Push to Private Registry
Error: Error response from daemon: denied: requested access
Cause: Authentication issue.
Resolution:
• Log in to the registry:
docker login <registry_url>
19. Container Hangs
Cause: Deadlocks or resource constraints.
Resolution:
• Restart the container:
docker restart <container_id>
20. Outdated Docker Version
Error: Features not supported.
Resolution:
• Update Docker to the latest version:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install docker-ce
21. Container Restart Loop
Error: Exited (137)
Cause: Resource limits or errors in the entry point script.
Resolution:
• Check the logs to identify the issue:
docker logs <container_id>
• Limit resources or fix entry point errors.
22. Image Pull Rate Limit
Error: Too many requests: rate limit exceeded
Cause: Docker Hub rate-limiting for unauthenticated users.
Resolution:
• Log in to Docker Hub:
docker login
• Use a mirror or private registry.
23. Network Timeout
Error: Failed to connect to network: timeout
Cause: Slow or interrupted network connection.
Resolution:
• Retry the operation or check network stability.
• Increase timeout with the --timeout flag.
24. Cannot Delete Volume
Error: Volume is in use
Cause: A container is still using the volume.
Resolution:
• Remove the associated container before deleting the volume:
docker rm -v <container_id>
25. Docker Compose Fails to Start Services
Error: Service <service_name> failed to start
Cause: Incorrect docker-compose.yml syntax or missing dependencies.
Resolution:
• Validate the YAML file:
docker-compose config
• Check dependency order in depends_on.
26. Proxy Issues
Error: Could not resolve proxy: <proxy_name>
Cause: Incorrect or missing proxy configuration.
Resolution:
• Set proxy environment variables:
export HTTP_PROXY=http://<proxy>:<port>
export HTTPS_PROXY=http://<proxy>:<port>
27. Docker Registry Authentication Failed
Error: unauthorized: authentication required
Cause: Incorrect login credentials.
Resolution:
• Retry logging in:
docker login
28. Container Timezone Mismatch
Error: Application uses the wrong timezone.
Cause: Container timezone not synchronized with the host.
Resolution:
• Mount the host timezone:
docker run -v /etc/localtime:/etc/localtime:ro ...
29. Cannot Attach to Container
Error: Cannot connect: container not running
Cause: The container is stopped.
Resolution:
• Start the container:
docker start <container_id>
• Use interactive mode for debugging:
docker exec -it <container_id> /bin/bash
30. Container IP Not Accessible
Cause: Networking mode or firewall issues.
Resolution:
• Use docker inspect to find the container's IP:
docker inspect <container_id>
• Ensure correct networking mode (bridge, host, etc.).
31. Dockerfile COPY Command Fails
Error: COPY failed: no source files were specified
Cause: Source file or directory missing.
Resolution:
• Verify file paths in the Dockerfile.
• Ensure files are within the build context.
32. Docker Swarm Initialization Fails
Error: could not initialize swarm: timeout
Cause: Firewall or network issues.
Resolution:
• Open required ports for Docker Swarm:
sudo ufw allow 2377/tcp
sudo ufw allow 7946/tcp
33. Missing Default Gateway
Error: no default gateway
Cause: Network misconfiguration.
Resolution:
• Restart the Docker service:
sudo systemctl restart docker
34. Logs Not Available
Error: log files are missing or inaccessible
Cause: Logging driver misconfiguration.
Resolution:
• Check the logging driver:
docker info | grep Logging
35. High Number of Unused Images
Cause: Accumulated unused images.
Resolution:
• Remove unused images:
docker image prune -a
36. Container Cannot Access Host
Cause: Misconfigured network.
Resolution:
• Use the host networking mode:
docker run --network host ...
37. Docker Service Does Not Start at Boot
Cause: Docker service is not enabled.
Resolution:
• Enable Docker service:
sudo systemctl enable docker
38. Cannot Access Container Logs
Error: Error opening log file
Cause: Log file permission issues.
Resolution:
• Ensure the correct permissions for log files.
• Restart the container if needed.
39. Resource Contention in Docker Swarm
Error: Task failed due to resource limits
Resolution:
• Scale down services or add more resources to the nodes.
40. Container Uses Too Much Storage
Cause: Persistent data accumulation.
Resolution:
• Clean up volumes and unused data:
docker volume prune
41. Docker Desktop Issues
Error: Docker Desktop hangs or crashes
Resolution:
• Reset Docker Desktop from the settings.
• Reinstall Docker Desktop.
42. Failed to Start Service in Overlay Network
Cause: Overlay network misconfiguration.
Resolution:
• Verify the overlay network and swarm node connectivity.
43. Cannot Share Volumes Between Containers
Cause: Volume name mismatch.
Resolution:
• Use named volumes:
docker volume create <volume_name>
44. Docker Compose Scale Fails
Error: service could not scale
Resolution:
• Ensure sufficient resources on the host.
45. Incorrect Entrypoint Script
Error: exec format error
Cause: Invalid script or permissions.
Resolution:
• Fix permissions:
chmod +x <script_name>
46. Broken Pipe Errors
Cause: Network or process interruptions.
Resolution:
• Retry or use resilient network configurations.
47. No Space Left in OverlayFS
Cause: Storage layer issues.
Resolution:
• Prune Docker resources.
48. Container Cannot Access API
Cause: Network restrictions or misconfigured API endpoint.
Resolution:
• Verify API endpoint and network settings.
49. Service Unavailable in Docker Swarm
Error: 503 Service Unavailable
Resolution:
• Check the load balancer configuration.
50. Docker Update Fails
Error: package conflicts or version issues
Resolution:
• Clean up existing Docker installation before upgrading:
sudo apt remove docker docker-engine docker.io
