Docker: Error response from daemon: devicemapper: Error running deviceCreate (createSnapDevice) dm_task_run failed

Are you tired of seeing the dreaded “Error response from daemon: devicemapper: Error running deviceCreate (createSnapDevice) dm_task_run failed” error message when trying to run your Docker container? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! This error can be frustrating, but fear not, dear reader, for we’re about to dive into the depths of Docker troubleshooting and emerge victorious.

What is the devicemapper error?

The devicemapper error occurs when Docker is unable to create a new snapshot device for your container. This can happen due to a variety of reasons, including:

• Insufficient disk space
• Permission issues
• Corrupted Docker configuration
• Device mapper configuration issues

Step 1: Check your disk space

The first step in troubleshooting this error is to check your disk space. Docker requires a certain amount of free disk space to create a new snapshot device. To check your disk space, open a terminal and run the following command:

df -h

This command will display your disk usage in a human-readable format. Take a look at the “Available” column and make sure you have at least 1GB of free disk space. If you’re running low on disk space, consider deleting unnecessary files or expanding your disk capacity.

Step 2: Check your permissions

Permission issues can cause the devicemapper error. To check your permissions, run the following command:

sudo docker info

This command will display information about your Docker installation, including the current user and group permissions. Make sure the Docker daemon is running with the correct permissions. If you’re running Docker as a non-root user, ensure that the user has been added to the Docker group:

sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

Log out and log back in to apply the changes.

Step 3: Check your Docker configuration

A corrupted Docker configuration can cause the devicemapper error. To check your Docker configuration, run the following command:

sudo docker daemon --debug

This command will start the Docker daemon in debug mode. Take a look at the output and check for any errors or warnings related to the devicemapper. If you find any issues, you can try resetting the Docker configuration by running:

sudo rm -rf /var/lib/docker

This command will delete the Docker configuration files. Note that this will also delete all your Docker containers and images, so be careful when using this command!

Step 4: Check your device mapper configuration

The device mapper configuration can also cause the devicemapper error. To check your device mapper configuration, run the following command:

sudo dmsetup ls --tree

This command will display a list of device mapper devices. Take a look at the output and check for any errors or warnings related to the devicemapper. If you find any issues, you can try resetting the device mapper configuration by running:

sudo dmsetup remove_all

This command will delete all device mapper devices. Note that this will also delete all your Docker containers and images, so be careful when using this command!

Step 5: Try restarting the Docker daemon

Sometimes, a simple restart of the Docker daemon can resolve the devicemapper error. To restart the Docker daemon, run the following command:

sudo systemctl restart docker

This command will restart the Docker daemon and may resolve the issue.

Conclusion

There you have it, folks! By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the “Error response from daemon: devicemapper: Error running deviceCreate (createSnapDevice) dm_task_run failed” error and get your Docker container up and running. Remember to check your disk space, permissions, Docker configuration, device mapper configuration, and try restarting the Docker daemon if all else fails.

Troubleshooting Step	Command	Description
Check disk space	df -h	Displays disk usage in a human-readable format
Check permissions	sudo docker info	Displays information about the Docker installation, including permissions
Check Docker configuration	sudo docker daemon --debug	Starts the Docker daemon in debug mode
Reset Docker configuration	sudo rm -rf /var/lib/docker	Deletes the Docker configuration files
Check device mapper configuration	sudo dmsetup ls --tree	Displays a list of device mapper devices
Reset device mapper configuration	sudo dmsetup remove_all	Deletes all device mapper devices
Restart Docker daemon	sudo systemctl restart docker	Restarts the Docker daemon

Bonus: Common Docker errors and solutions

In addition to the devicemapper error, there are several other common Docker errors that you may encounter. Here are some common errors and their solutions:

• Error: “docker: Error response from daemon: Conflict. The container name “/myapp” is already in use by container…

  Solution: Run docker rm myapp to delete the existing container and then try running your container again.

• Error: “docker: Error response from daemon: No space left on device”

  Solution: Check your disk space using df -h and delete unnecessary files or expand your disk capacity.

• Error: “docker: Error response from daemon: unauthorized: authentication required”

  Solution: Run docker login to authenticate with the Docker Hub and try running your container again.

We hope this comprehensive guide has helped you resolve the “Error response from daemon: devicemapper: Error running deviceCreate (createSnapDevice) dm_task_run failed” error and get your Docker container up and running. Happy coding!

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