Incus errors in WSL2 can originate in Windows virtualization, WSL startup or services, the Linux kernel and cgroups, the container image, or VM-specific requirements. Start by recording the exact error and logs, then troubleshoot the layer they point to; there is no single fix for every failure.
Collect the error and logs before changing anything
Record the complete incus launch or incus start command and its full output. Also note your Incus version, WSL version, Linux distribution, and the output of uname -r. These details help distinguish a WSL or kernel problem from an instance-specific failure.
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If the instance exists but will not start, save both logs:
incus info <instance_name> --show-log
incus console <instance_name> --show-logIncus recommends retrying and comparing the logs to see whether the failure is repeatable. Its troubleshooting guidance says that an instance ending in an error state usually indicates a larger issue involving either the image or server configuration: Incus: How to troubleshoot failing instances.
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Identify which layer is failing
| What you observe | Likely layer to check first | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| The Linux distribution itself will not start | Windows virtualization or WSL | Resolve the WSL startup error before troubleshooting Incus. |
| Incus daemon or service does not start | WSL service management or systemd configuration | Check whether systemd is enabled and whether the failure concerns service startup. |
| Errors mention namespaces, cgroups, or kernel features | WSL kernel and host configuration | Compare the kernel and enabled features with the requirements for your Incus release. |
| The instance enters an error state or guest init fails | Container image or guest startup | Inspect the console log and verify the image’s required filesystem layout. |
The command included --vm |
VM-specific virtualization or kernel-device support | Use VM diagnostics rather than assuming container guidance applies. |
First determine whether you are launching a system container or an Incus VM. Containers use the host Linux kernel, while VMs use hardware virtualization and have different requirements. See Incus: Instance types.
If WSL itself will not start
When the Linux distribution fails before Incus can run, fix WSL first. For error 0x80370102, Microsoft identifies checks including the Virtual Machine Platform feature, hardware virtualization enabled in firmware, and the hypervisor launch configuration. If Windows itself is running inside a virtual machine, nested virtualization may also be required. Firmware menu names vary by computer. Follow Microsoft’s guidance for virtualization errors such as 0x80370102.
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If the Incus daemon or services do not start
Check systemd only when the symptoms indicate service startup or daemon management; it does not explain every failed container launch. Microsoft documents systemd support for WSL distributions in WSL 0.67.6 or newer. The documented setup edits /etc/wsl.conf; after changing the configuration, restart WSL instances with wsl.exe --shutdown, then launch the distribution again. See Microsoft’s systemd configuration instructions for WSL.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsIf the error points to the kernel or cgroups
Incus containers rely on Linux namespaces and cgroups, so check that the WSL kernel and its enabled features meet the requirements of the Incus version you installed. The current Incus main documentation lists Linux 6.12 as the minimum supported kernel and names cgroups, namespaces, seccomp, and native Linux AIO as requirements. That page tracks current documentation; verify the requirements for your installed release rather than applying the current main-branch threshold to every version. See Incus requirements.
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For a specific /sys/fs/cgroup mount failure
If the error explicitly says Failed to mount "/sys/fs/cgroup", check whether a host VPN is involved before changing mounts. Incus documents a possible conflict in which some VPN software mounts cgroup v1 net_cls over cgroup v2. Its FAQ describes stopping the VPN and unmounting /sys/fs/cgroup/net_cls as a workaround:
sudo umount /sys/fs/cgroup/net_clsUse this only when the exact mount error and host state match the documented case; it is not a general remedy for unrelated Incus errors. See the Incus FAQ.
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If a container image or guest init fails
A created instance can still fail during guest startup if its root filesystem is incomplete. Incus expects container root filesystems to contain empty /dev, /proc, and /sys directories, plus an executable /sbin/init. Incus arranges standard mounts such as /proc and /sys; inspect the image contents and console log when the error refers to init or mount operations. See Incus instance configuration and container filesystem requirements.
In an unprivileged container, systemd may try to mount API filesystems itself and fail if the image is missing required directories. Incus’s troubleshooting example temporarily sets raw.lxc='lxc.init.cmd = /bin/bash' so an administrator can inspect a broken guest. This is an advanced diagnostic step, not a permanent fix to apply blindly. Incus may auto-create missing directories while attempting startup, so a later successful restart does not necessarily mean the original image was sound. See the Incus troubleshooting example.
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If you launched an Incus VM
Do not apply container-specific image or cgroup advice automatically to an instance launched with --vm. VMs depend on hardware virtualization, unlike software-isolated system containers. One WSL community report describes a VM launch error saying vhost_vsock was not loaded. Treat that as a possible VM-specific kernel-device lead, not proof that every WSL2 setup supports Incus VMs or that one fix works universally. The report is anecdotal: WSL community discussion about Incus VM startup.
Make one change at a time
After identifying the likely layer, change only the relevant setting or condition, retry the same command, and compare the new output with the logs you saved. This makes it easier to tell whether the change addressed the cause or merely altered the symptoms.
Quick Recap
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