Docker error 255 means its main entrpypoint/command process stopped with that status.

Here at Bobcares, we have seen several causes for this error while troubleshooting Docker issues as part of our Docker Hosting Support for Docker users, web hosts, and online service providers.

Today we’ll take a look at the cause for this error and how to fix it.

Know more about docker error 255

Before getting into the resolution part, let us see about this 255 error.

The 255 error simply means “there was an error”, but does not tell you anything much besides that.

Normally, you come across this error while starting the docker quickstart terminal.

For instance, the error appears as shown below in the image.

How we fix Docker error 255

Recently, one of our customers approached us with this error. He ran into this error while trying to launch a docker quickstart terminal.

Now let’s see how our Support Engineers fix this error to our customer.

We suggested the customer remove the default instance and re-create one using below commands

$ docker-machine rm default
$ docker-machine create --driver virtualbox default

Finally, this fix worked for him.

In another case, we provided the below steps to the customer to fix this error.

1. First, delete the default docker-machine and all associated files.
2. Then delete ‘Host-only Networks’ in Virtualbox. To do this, go into VirtualBox and click Preferences >> Network >> Host-only Networks and delete them all. This will prompt a warning, just click Remove. Once they are all gone, destroy any docker instances, and recreate them from scratch.
3. Launch Kitematic and let it create the default VM (successfully)
4. Finally, launch the Docker QuickStart terminal. This should now work without any problems.

[Need any further assistance in fixing Docker errors? – We’re available 24*7]

Conclusion

In short, this Docker error means its main entrpypoint/command process stopped with that status. Today, we saw the resolution to this error.