Docker desktop is unable to start docker engine (Debian 12.10, Docker Desktop 4.40.0)

[pippo111]

Description

Hi, my Docker Desktop app is unable to start the Docker Engine. The message “Starting the Docker Engine” along with a loading indicator appears indefinitely.

I followed the installation guide from the official site and completed all the steps. The very first time, it worked well, but after quitting and reopening the app, it fails to start the Docker Engine.

A workaround for this issue is to remove the .docker/desktop directory. After doing so, the app prompts the license agreement again and starts with the engine running.

The workaround is only partial and will remove all the data so it is only to run the app.

OS Version: Linux Debian 12.10.0 App version: 4.40.0 (187762)

Reproduce

1. Install docker as described in Debian | Docker Docs
2. Install docker desktop as described in Debian | Docker Docs
3. Run Docker Desktop
4. Quit Docker Desktop
5. Open Docker Desktop again

Expected behavior

Docker desktop should start the docker engine.

docker version

Client: Docker Engine - Community
 Version:           28.0.4
 API version:       1.48
 Go version:        go1.23.7
 Git commit:        b8034c0
 Built:             Tue Mar 25 15:07:22 2025
 OS/Arch:           linux/amd64
 Context:           desktop-linux

docker info

Client: Docker Engine - Community
 Version:           28.0.4
 API version:       1.48
 Go version:        go1.23.7
 Git commit:        b8034c0
 Built:             Tue Mar 25 15:07:22 2025
 OS/Arch:           linux/amd64
 Context:           desktop-linux

Server: Docker Desktop 4.40.0 (187762)
 Engine:
  Version:          28.0.4
  API version:      1.48 (minimum version 1.24)
  Go version:       go1.23.7
  Git commit:       6430e49
  Built:            Tue Mar 25 15:07:22 2025
  OS/Arch:          linux/amd64
  Experimental:     false
 containerd:
  Version:          1.7.26
  GitCommit:        753481ec61c7c8955a23d6ff7bc8e4daed455734
 runc:
  Version:          1.2.5
  GitCommit:        v1.2.5-0-g59923ef
 docker-init:
  Version:          0.19.0
  GitCommit:        de40ad0

Diagnostics ID

9D843CBF-DFE2-4B09-B91A-55B68897B2A9/20250409164319

Additional Info

journal_docker.txt