Restart Docker

To restart Docker services on your Windows 11 machine, you have a few options depending on whether you’re using Docker Desktop or the Docker Engine (via WSL2/Linux):

🖥️ If you’re using Docker Desktop (Windows GUI)

Restart from the tray icon:
- Right‑click the Docker whale icon in the system tray.
- Select Restart Docker Desktop.
Restart via Settings:
- Open Docker Desktop.
- Go to Settings → Troubleshoot.
- Click Restart Docker Desktop.

🐧 If you’re using Docker Engine inside WSL2 (Ubuntu/other distro)

Open your WSL terminal (Ubuntu, Debian, etc.) and run:

sudo service docker restart

or, if systemd is enabled:

sudo systemctl restart docker

⚡ If Docker is stuck

You can restart the Docker Desktop Service directly from Windows:

Open PowerShell as Administrator.
Run:
```
net stop com.docker.service
net start com.docker.service
```
This forces the Windows service that powers Docker Desktop to restart.

👉 Since you’re already working with WSL and Ubuntu, the most direct way is:

sudo service docker restart

inside your Ubuntu WSL terminal.

Also See

File5	File	Last Modified
在WSL 中安裝 Ubuntu	在WSL 中安裝 Ubuntu	2:25 PM - January 12, 2026
Windows 上透過 WSL 進入 Ubuntu shell	Windows 上透過 WSL 進入 Ubuntu shell	2:25 PM - January 12, 2026
Force restart WSL	Force restart WSL	2:25 PM - January 12, 2026
set WSL’s default distribution	set WSL’s default distribution	3:14 PM - December 15, 2025
install Ubuntu on WSL	install Ubuntu on WSL	2:34 PM - December 15, 2025