error code 0x8000ffff when try to install Ubuntu via WSL

[Shuyan-Lu]

Version
Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.25174.1010]

WSL Version
WSL 2
Kernel Version
unknown
PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> wsl --statuswsl --status
and I got output saying kernel not installed.
PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> wsl.exe --update
and it throws:
インストール中: Linux 用 Windows サブシステム
致命的なエラーです。

translation: Linux Windows Subsystem being installed. fatal error.

Distro Version
Ubuntu-22.04

Other Software
No response

Repro Steps
PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> wsl --list --online
インストールできる有効なディストリビューションの一覧を次に示します。
'wsl --install -d ' を使用してインストールします。

NAME FRIENDLY NAME
Ubuntu Ubuntu
Debian Debian GNU/Linux
kali-linux Kali Linux Rolling
Ubuntu-18.04 Ubuntu 18.04 LTS
Ubuntu-20.04 Ubuntu 20.04 LTS
Ubuntu-22.04 Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
OracleLinux_8_5 Oracle Linux 8.5
OracleLinux_7_9 Oracle Linux 7.9
SUSE-Linux-Enterprise-Server-15-SP4 SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP4
openSUSE-Leap-15.4 openSUSE Leap 15.4
openSUSE-Tumbleweed openSUSE Tumbleweed
PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> wsl --install -d Ubuntu
インストール中: Ubuntu
インストール中にエラーが発生しました。ディストリビューション名: 'Ubuntu' エラー コード: 0x8000ffff
(translation: error during installation. Distribution name: Ubuntu. Error code: 0x8000ffff)

Expected Behavior
Ubuntu successfully installed

Actual Behavior
It throw "Error code: 0x8000ffff"

Diagnostic Logs
WslLogs-2023-03-16_18-44-34.zip

[Gitnear]

I had the same issue - Try to open ps without admin rights

[Shuyan-Lu]

Thank you @Gitnear! It works!

[Shuyan-Lu]

Issue resolved

[Nickylailai]

Doesn't work...

[Fiewor]

I had the same issue - Try to open ps without admin rights

Worked for me too. Thanks.

[KokilaSoumi]

I had the same issue - Try to open ps without admin rights

I had the same issue - Try to open ps without admin rights

Thanks, it helps!

[s3989]

I tried ,but it doesn't work

[danielcardea]

Thank you @Gitnear
Running the command in Powershell works. I tried Command prompt but had the same issue.

[firmanium]

Terima Kasih @Gitnear sudah seminggu bingung, tidak bisa install, akhirnya bisa. Matur Nuwun yo

[maxgira]

I had this issue on a Windows Server 2022 system, tried reinstalling WSL etc, but simply running wsl --update is what solved the problem in the end.

[hosseinhashemi]

For Windows 10 Users:

1 - I enabled the virtualization in BIOS and Hyper-v in Windows Features.
2 - Installed the Windows Subsystem For Linux from Microsoft Store.
3 - Installed Ubuntu from Microsoft Store.

[joaoggtinoco]

Tive esse problema em um sistema Windows Server 2022, tentei reinstalar o WSL etc., mas simplesmente executar wsl --updatefoi o que resolveu o problema no final.

Atualizar o WSL também foi minha solução.

[USSX-Hares]

Same problem here.
As I am connecting to the server via SSH, de-elevating to a non-admin user is not an option.

PS C:\Users\***> wsl --install -d Ubuntu-22.04                  
Installing: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
An error occurred during installation. Distribution Name: 'Ubuntu 22.04 LTS' Error Code: 0x8000ffff
PS C:\Users\***> wsl --update                 
Installing: Windows Subsystem for Linux
Catastrophic failure    
PS C:\Users\***> 

Logs attached.

PS C:\Users\***> Invoke-WebRequest -UseBasicParsing "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/microsoft/WSL/master/diagnostics/collect-wsl-logs.ps1" -OutFile collect-wsl-logs.ps1
PS C:\Users\***> Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process -Force
PS C:\Users\***> .\collect-wsl-logs.ps1
ERROR: The system was unable to find the specified registry key or value.
ERROR: The system was unable to find the specified registry key or value.
Log collection is running. Please reproduce the problem and once done press any key to save the logs.
Saving logs...
Logs saved in: C:\Users\***\WslLogs-2024-02-26_20-14-46.zip. Please attach that file to the GitHub issue.

WslLogs-2024-02-26_20-14-46.zip

[ryanhossain9797]

I had this issue on a Windows Server 2022 system, tried reinstalling WSL etc but simply running wsl --update is what solved the problem in the end.

🎉 Confirming that running wsl --update fixed the issue on Windows Server 2022

[sanbeichahegongheguo]

I had the same issue - Try to open ps without admin rights

It works for me. Thanks!

[adambaaron]

Catastrophic Failure

[susongliulong]

@USSX-Hares Hey, bro! I meet the same problem with you, but finally I solve this problem in another way ! try to follow this link where you can find ANOTHER WAY TO DOWNLOAD "wsl" rather than using horrible 'cmd' !
install-manual