The Windows Subsystem for Linux or WSL is one of the most useful native Windows features if you’re looking to use multiple operating systems on your Windows PC without having to deal with the hassle of virtualisation. However, as easy as it is to set up, it can sometimes throw some random bugs and glitches.
In this article, we’re talking about the Error: 0x80040326 error code: wsl/service/0x80040326 issue in WSL, the reasons behind it and what you can do to fix the problem.
What causes Error: 0x80040326 error code: wsl/service/0x80040326 in WSL?
The error was caused by a buggy update to both WSL and WSL 2 and can be fixed with a simple update. However, other common causes include:
- Using a Windows Insider Preview build.
- Virtualisation isn’t enabled.
- Hyper-V isn’t enabled or isn’t supported.
Also read: Wslregisterdistribution failed with error 0x800701bc: 3 Fixes
How to fix Error: 0x80040326 error code: wsl/service/0x80040326 in WSL?
Here are three fixes you can try out.
Update WSL
As mentioned above, a WSL update will most likely fix the issue for you. To do so, simply open a PowerShell window and run the following command.
WSL --updateWait for the update to finish and the error should go away.
Enable virtualisation
If you’re running a virtual machine on your Windows PC or using the WSL, you need to enable virtualisation in the BIOS as it allows for better performance and can resolve a bunch of system issues.
Check out our detailed guide on how to enable virtualisation in the BIOS
Enable Hyper-V
Enabling Hyper-V allows Windows to support virtual machines better and eliminate general bugs like the one we’re facing. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Press the Windows key to open the start menu and search for Turn Windows features on or off. Click the corresponding search result.
Step 2: Look for Windows Hypervisor in the list and enable the feature by clicking the checkmark next to its name.
Once you’re done, restart your PC, and the error should be gone. Keep in mind that Hyper-V is not supported on Windows 10 and 11 Home versions.
Also read: Fix: Windows wslregisterdistribution failed with error: 0x80370102
