Restarting the Docker Service from the Command Line on Windows

Docker is a popular containerization platform used to package and deploy applications in isolated environments. Occasionally, you may encounter issues with Docker that require restarting the Docker service on your Windows machine. In this article, we will explore how to restart the Docker service from the command line, including examples using both the Windows Command Prompt and Windows PowerShell.

Restarting the Docker Service using the Windows Command Prompt

To restart the Docker service using the Windows Command Prompt, follow these steps:

1. Open the Command Prompt: Press the Windows key, type “Command Prompt,” and select the Command Prompt app from the search results.
2. Stop the Docker service: Run the following command to stop the Docker service:

net stop docker

3. Start the Docker service: Execute the following command to start the Docker service:

net start docker

By running these commands, you stop and then start the Docker service, effectively restarting it.

Restarting the Docker Service using Windows PowerShell

To restart the Docker service using Windows PowerShell, follow these steps:

1. Open Windows PowerShell: Press the Windows key, type “PowerShell,” and select the Windows PowerShell app from the search results.
2. Stop the Docker service: Run the following command to stop the Docker service:

Stop-Service -Name Docker

3. Start the Docker service: Execute the following command to start the Docker service:

Start-Service -Name Docker

Similar to the Command Prompt method, running these commands stops and starts the Docker service, effectively restarting it.

Verifying the Docker Service Restart

After executing the restart commands, it’s important to verify that the Docker service has restarted successfully. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open a Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell window.
2. Check the status of the Docker service: Run the following command to check the status of the Docker service:

sc queryex docker

The command output will display the current status of the Docker service, indicating whether it is running or stopped.

Conclusion

Restarting the Docker service can help resolve various issues and ensure the smooth functioning of your Docker environment on Windows. In this article, we discussed how to restart the Docker service from the command line using both the Windows Command Prompt and Windows PowerShell. By following the provided steps and examples, you can easily stop and start the Docker service, effectively restarting it.

Remember to verify the status of the Docker service after the restart to ensure that it has been successfully restarted. Regularly restarting the Docker service when needed can help mitigate potential issues and maintain a stable Docker environment.