CreateContainerConfigError & CreateContainerError | Fixes

Learn how to resolve CreateContainerConfigError & CreateContainerError. Our Kubernetes Support team is here to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have.

CreateContainerConfigError & CreateContainerError | Fixes

When deploying containers in Kubernetes, it is not uncommon to run into errors like `CreateContainerConfigError` or `CreateContainerError`. It usually occurs when applications are critical or time-sensitive. These issues are often due to configuration mistakes or runtime failures. Fortunately, they are typically easy to diagnose and fix.

Today, we will examine the meaning of these errors, their common causes, and how to resolve them.

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What Is `CreateContainerConfigError`?

The `CreateContainerConfigError` occurs when Kubernetes fails to validate the configuration values. This is often due to a missing or incorrect ConfigMap or Secret.

We usually see this error when deploying a Pod, Deployment, or StatefulSet that references an unavailable configuration object.

This is a common issue faced during or after complex operations like Kubernetes cluster migration, where resources such as ConfigMaps and Secrets may be missing or misconfigured in the target environment.

Common Causes behind CreateContainerConfigError

1. If the ConfigMap doesn’t exist in the namespace, Kubernetes cannot inject the configuration into the container.
2. The error will also occur if the referenced Secret is missing or misspelled.
3. Referencing a key that doesn’t exist in the specified ConfigMap or Secret will also trigger this error.

How to Identify the Error

Run the following command:

kubectl get podsCopy Code

Here is an example output:

```
NAME   READY   STATUS                       RESTARTS   AGE
app    0/1     CreateContainerConfigError   0          10s
Copy Code

We can see the `STATUS` indicating the problem.

How to resolve CreateContainerConfigError

1. Use this command to inspect the error details:

   kubectl describe pod pod-nameCopy Code
2. Review the event list for an entry with the reason ‘Failed’. This message will pinpoint exactly what’s missing. It may be either a ConfigMap, Secret, or a specific key.
3. If the ConfigMap is not found, create the missing ConfigMap:

   kubectl create configmap  --from-literal=key=valueCopy Code

   Configuration issues like these can also show up during cluster changes, upgrades, or IP range conflicts. Here’s how to handle Kubernetes IPAM cluster misconfigurations that could compound the problem.
4. If the Secret is not found, add the missing Secret:

   kubectl create secret generic name –from-literal=key=valueCopy Code
5. If a key is missing from the ConfigMap or Secret, edit the ConfigMap or Secret to include the correct key.
6. Once the configuration is corrected, reapply the Pod manifest:

   kubectl delete pod pod-name
   kubectl apply -f pod.yaml
   Copy Code

   
   The container will now start without errors.

What Is `CreateContainerError`?

Unlike the config error, `CreateContainerError` occurs when Kubernetes validates the manifest successfully, but fails actually to create the container due to a runtime issue.

This usually happens during the transition from the `Pending` to the `Running` state.

Common Causes of CreateContainerError

• The container name may clash with one already in use, typically caused by a leftover from a failed Pod.
• If the container image lacks an entry point and we didn’t define one in the manifest, Kubernetes won’t know how to run the container.
• The container references a volume or path that doesn’t exist or is misconfigured.
• Issues with the node’s container runtime can stop new containers from being created.

Runtime issues often go unnoticed until symptoms like metrics failures appear. If you’re seeing problems accessing the metrics server, refer to our fix for Kubernetes Metrics API not available on Ubuntu.

How to Fix `CreateContainerError’

1. First, describe the Pod:

   kubectl describe pod pod-nameCopy Code
2. Then, look for the `Failed` reason in the event log. The accompanying message will detail the cause like “no command specified” or “volume path not found.”
3. Now, we need to troubleshoot as per the Error Type. If no command was specified, add a `command` field to your manifest:

   
   spec:
   containers:
   - name: my-container
   image: my-image
   command: ["/bin/sh", "-c", "echo Hello World"]
   Copy Code
4. If it is storage issues, validate the volume paths, PV claims, and hostPath configurations. Then reapply the corrected YAMLs.
5. In case of a container name conflict, restart the container runtime on the node or clean up orphaned containers. If needed, rename the container in the manifest.
6. Once we have resolved the root cause:

   kubectl delete pod pod-name
   kubectl apply -f pod.yamlCopy Code

   The Pod will now move into the Running state successfully.

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Conclusion

Both `CreateContainerConfigError` and `CreateContainerError` are common Kubernetes issues due to configuration errors or runtime limitations.

In brief, our Support Experts demonstrated how to resolve CreateContainerConfigError & CreateContainerError.