Hardware⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix 0x80370114 Error – How to fix fresh WSL install "WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x80370114"

Learn how to fix: How to fix fresh WSL install "WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x80370114".

Quick Answer: Try checking your system settings or restarting.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 🛑 Root Causes of the Error
  2. ✅ Best Solutions to Fix It
  3. 💡 Conclusion

The error 'WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x80370114' affects users who have installed Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) and encountered issues during distribution installation. This issue can be frustrating as it prevents the user from launching their chosen Linux distribution, leading to a failed installation process.

The solution involves identifying the root cause of the error and applying one of two primary fix methods. The first method focuses on enabling the required Windows features for WSL, while the second approach involves reinstalling the WSL distributions using the correct command.

🛑 Root Causes of the Error

  • The primary reason for this error is that the 'Windows Hypervisor Platform' feature was not enabled before installing WSL. Although it can be enabled later, it must be done so before attempting to install or launch any Linux distribution.
  • Another possible cause could be a corrupted or outdated version of the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). In this case, reinstalling WSL using the correct command might resolve the issue.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

Enable Required Features

  1. Step 1: Open the 'Turn Windows features on or off' window by searching for it in the Start menu. Ensure that both 'Virtual Machine Platform' and 'Windows Subsystem for Linux' are enabled.
  2. Step 2: Restart your computer after enabling these features to ensure they take effect.
  3. Step 3: After restarting, attempt to install or launch a Linux distribution using WSL.

Reinstall WSL Distributions

  1. Step 1: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator by searching for it in the Start menu and selecting 'Run as administrator'.
  2. Step 2: Use the command `wsl --unregister` to unregister all installed distributions. This will remove any existing installations, so be cautious when using this command.
  3. Step 3: After unregistration, use the command `wsl --install` followed by the name of the desired Linux distribution (e.g., `Ubuntu-20.04`).

💡 Conclusion

To resolve the 'WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x80370114' issue, enable the required Windows features for WSL or reinstall the distributions using the correct command. By following these steps, users should be able to successfully install and launch their chosen Linux distribution.

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