How to Fix ‘ERROR: failed to solve: error getting credentials – err: exit status 1, out: ’

The error message “ERROR: failed to solve: error getting credentials – err: exit status 1, out:” typically indicates a problem with retrieving authentication credentials needed to access a resource, often in the context of using containerization tools like Docker or Podman.

Common Scenarios Where This Error Occurs

This error can come up in various scenarios, including:

• During Docker Login: When attempting to log in to a Docker registry using docker login.
• While Building Images: When building Docker images that require access to private repositories.
• Pulling or Pushing Images: When pulling images from or pushing images to a Docker registry.
• Automated CI/CD Pipelines: In continuous integration and deployment pipelines where Docker commands are executed automatically.

Importance of Resolving This Error for Smooth Docker Operations

Resolving this error is crucial for maintaining a seamless Docker experience. If left unaddressed, it can:

• Disrupt Development Workflows
• Affect Deployment Pipelines
• Lead to Security Risks

Preliminary Checks

Before going into the steps to fix this error, we can perform some preliminary checks. These steps will help identify any fundamental issues with your Docker setup that might be causing the error.

Verify Docker Installation and Version

First, ensure that Docker is correctly installed and that you are using a compatible version. Running outdated versions of Docker can lead to various issues, including credential errors.

1. Check Docker Version: Open your terminal and run the following command to check the installed Docker version:

   docker --version

   Ensure that the version displayed is up-to-date. If not, consider updating Docker to the latest version.

2. Update Docker: If you need to update Docker, follow the official Docker documentation for your operating system to download and install the latest version.

Check Docker Daemon Status

The Docker daemon must be running for Docker commands to execute correctly. If the daemon is not running, you might encounter various errors, including credential issues.

1. Check Daemon Status: Use the following command to check if the Docker daemon is running:

   systemctl status docker

2. Start Docker Daemon: If the daemon is not running, start it using:

   sudo systemctl start docker

   On macOS or Windows, you can start Docker Desktop from the application menu.

Ensure Proper Login Credentials

Incorrect or outdated login credentials can also cause the credential error. Verify that you have the correct credentials and that they are properly configured.

1. Check Login Status: Verify if you are logged in to Docker by running:

   docker login

   If you are already logged in, you will see a message indicating that you are logged in to the Docker registry.

2. Re-enter Credentials: If you are not logged in or if you suspect that the credentials might be incorrect, log out and log back in:

   
   docker logout
   docker login
       

   Enter your Docker Hub or registry credentials when prompted.

Common Fixes

If the preliminary checks did not resolve the error, you can try some common fixes. These solutions address typical issues related to Docker’s credential management and file permissions.

a. Updating Docker Configuration

One common cause of the credential error is an incorrect or outdated Docker configuration. Updating the config.json file can help resolve this issue.

Locate and Edit the config.json File

1. Find the config.json File: The config.json file is usually located in the Docker configuration directory. The path varies depending on your operating system:
   • Linux: ~/.docker/config.json
2. Open the File: Use a text editor to open the config.json file.

   nano ~/.docker/config.json

Modify the credsStore Setting

1. Update the credsStore Setting: Look for the credsStore entry in the config.json file. It might look something like this:

   {
     "credsStore": "desktop"
   }

   Change the value of credsStore to match the credential store you are using. For example, if you are using pass on Linux, it should be:

   {
     "credsStore": "pass"
   }

2. Save and Close the File: After making the changes, save the file and close the text editor. Restart Docker to apply the changes:

   sudo systemctl restart docker

b. Correcting File Permissions

Incorrect file permissions can also cause credential errors. Ensuring that Docker files have the correct permissions can help resolve these issues.

Check and Adjust Permissions for Docker Files

1. Check Permissions: Verify the permissions of the Docker configuration directory and files:

   ls -l ~/.docker

   Ensure that your user has read and write permissions.

2. Adjust Permissions: If necessary, adjust the permissions to ensure that your user has the appropriate access:

   chmod 700 ~/.docker
   chmod 600 ~/.docker/config.json

3. Run Docker Commands Without sudo: Using sudo with Docker commands can create files with root ownership, leading to permission issues. Ensure that you are part of the docker group to run Docker commands without sudo:

   sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

   Log out and log back in for the changes to take effect.

By updating the Docker configuration and correcting file permissions, you can often resolve the credential error and restore smooth Docker operations.

Advanced Troubleshooting

If the common fixes did not resolve the error, you might need to perform more advanced troubleshooting steps. These methods involve resetting Docker credentials and, if necessary, reinstalling Docker.

a. Resetting Docker Credentials

Sometimes, resetting Docker credentials can resolve issues related to credential management. This involves removing existing credentials and recreating them.

Follow The Steps Below to Remove and Recreate Docker Credentials

1. Remove Existing Credentials: Locate and delete the Docker credentials file. The location of this file varies depending on your operating system:
   • Linux: ~/.docker/config.json

   You can delete the file using the following command:

   rm ~/.docker/config.json

2. Recreate Credentials: After deleting the credentials file, you need to recreate it by logging back into Docker.

Use docker logout and docker login Commands

1. Log Out of Docker: Use the docker logout command to log out of Docker:

   docker logout

2. Log Back In: Use the docker login command to log back in and recreate the credentials file:

   docker login

   Enter your Docker Hub or registry credentials when prompted.

By resetting Docker credentials, you can often resolve issues related to credential management and ensure that Docker can access the necessary registries.

b. Reinstalling Docker

If resetting credentials does not resolve the issue, you might need to reinstall Docker. This process involves uninstalling Docker and performing a clean installation.

Uninstalling Docker

1. Uninstall Docker: Follow the steps for your operating system to uninstall Docker.

   sudo apt-get remove docker docker-engine docker.io containerd runc

2. Remove Docker Data: Ensure that all Docker data is removed by deleting Docker directories:

   sudo rm -rf /var/lib/docker
   sudo rm -rf /etc/docker
   sudo rm -rf ~/.docker

Clean Installation Steps

1. Install Docker: Follow the official Docker documentation for your operating system to download and install Docker. For example, you can use the following commands:

   sudo apt-get update
   sudo apt-get install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io

2. Start Docker: Ensure that the Docker daemon is running:

   sudo systemctl start docker

3. Verify Installation: Check that Docker is installed correctly by running:

   docker --version

By performing a clean installation of Docker, you should be able to resolve any underlying issues that might be causing the credential error and ensure that Docker is set up correctly.

Resources

• Collabnix Dockerlab
• Stack Overflow
• Docker Forum