Linux: Failed to start Docker Application Container Engine - that's it

The Linux error message "Failed to start docker application container engine" can have several reasons. We explain why and have put together possible solutions for you here.

"Failed to start docker application container engine" is a configuration error

Many Linux errors are caused by the configuration file. It is the same with this message.

• First you have to stop and disable Docker. To do this, enter the following into your terminal: systemctl stop docker.service systemctl disable docker.service
• Now uninstall Docker using your package manager. On Ubuntu this works with: sudo apt-get remove docker.io docker
• Delete the / var / lib / docker /, /run/docker.pid and /run/docker.sock folders and files. Alternatively, you can rename them by adding .bak as a suffix.
• Now reinstall Docker and start the service with: systemctl enable docker.service systemctl start docker.service
• If there are errors in your configuration, this should fix the problem.

Failed to start docker application container engine: Problems overwriting configurations

Docker may have problems overwriting the configuration of the system and Service Manager system.

• First delete the host entry from the configuration file /etc/docker/daemon.json .
• Now create the configuration file /etc/systemd/system/docker.service.d/hosts.conf
• In the case of an Ubuntu system, write in it: [Service] ExecStart = ExecStart = / usr / bin / dockerd -H fd: // -H tcp: //0.0.0.0: 2736 The first, empty ExecStart entry is intentional.
• Now save and restart Docker with: systemctl daemon-reload systemctl restart docker.service

Linux Mint: This brings version 19.1

You can find out how to activate SSH on Ubuntu and make backups with Rsync in further Linux tips.