Fix ‘WSL Register Distribution Error 0x80370102’ issue

This article will show you how to Fix ‘WSL Register Distribution Error 0x80370102’ issue. When people try to install Linux Distro for Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2), a lot of them say they get the error message 0x80370102. The WSLRegisterDistribution Failed With Error: 0x80370102 is quite common since WSL2 was released with Windows build 18917, and it doesn’t just affect Linux distributions. When trying to install the Debian distribution, this error has also been seen. When users try to install and run a Linux distribution using the “Windows Subsystem for Linux” feature, they get the 0x80370102 error. This new feature is already built into Windows, and all users have to do to install the Linux subsystem is turn on the “Windows Subsystem for Linux” feature.

Users get the error message “WslRegisterDistribution failed with error: 0x80370102” when they try to download Linux distributions through Windows Subsystem for Linux or WSL. When users try to install both Linux and Debian, they often get this error, which is usually caused by a problem with the hardware Virtualization feature in BIOS. If you get an error message that says Error: 0x80370102 when you try to start Windows Subsystem for Linux on your Windows computer, here’s what to do. Follow these steps to Fix ‘WSL Register Distribution Error 0x80370102’ issue. When you turn off Hyper-V and try to use WSL2 on your PC, this happens a lot. If you want to know more information about this Visit Official Microsoft Support site.

Activate Hardware Virtualization

1. Put the computer to sleep.
2. To turn on the computer or laptop, press the power button.
3. Press the function key (Esc, Del, F10, F3, F11, or F12) that can stop the boot sequence right away.
4. Choose the choice that lets you get into the BIOS.
5. Use the arrow keys to choose Advanced in the BIOS menu.
6. Use the arrow key to find Virtualization and click on it.
7. In the BIOS interface, turn on virtualization.
8. Save the change and leave the BIOS.
9. To use the changes, you need to restart the system.

Enable Nested Virtualization and Modify RAM Settings

1. Use Hyper-V Manager to shut down the virtual machine.
2. Right-click on “Start,” then choose “Windows Terminal (Admin)” from the menu that appears.
3. If a UAC dialog box pops up, choose “Yes” to keep going.
4. Make a copy of this command: Copy the command Set-VMProcessor VMName> -ExposeVirtualizationExtensions $true and paste it into the Windows PowerShell console. Then press Enter.
5. Start Hyper-V Manager and click on the Settings option.
6. Go to the left side of the screen and click Memory.
7. Deselect the “Enable Dynamic Memory” option.
8. Change the RAM from what it is now to what it should be, like from 1562MB to 3124MB.
9. Select Apply and OK to save the changes.
10. Get the virtual machine going.
11. Select Connect when you right-click on the virtual machine.
12. Run Ubuntu.

Reinstall WSL

Uninstall:

1. To open Settings, press the Windows key + I.
2. On the left side of the Settings window, click on Apps.
3. Choose Installed apps at the top of the right side panel.
4. Look in the list of installed apps for Windows Subsystem for Linux.
5. Click the icon with the three dots on the right side of the app.
6. Choose Uninstall from the menu that drops down.
7. When a pop-up window asks you to confirm, click Uninstall.
8. In the same way, find Ubuntu in the list of apps that have been installed.
9. Click on the icon with three dots and choose “Uninstall.”
10. Follow the instructions on the screen.

Use Windows features to install:

1. Keep the Windows key on your keyboard pressed down.
2. In the search box, type optionalfeatures.
3. Click on the ones that aren’t required. Run the command to start it up.
4. In the Windows Features window, look for Windows Subsystem for Linux.
5. To turn on Windows Subsystem for Linux, check the box next to it.
6. To move on, click the OK button.
7. Wait for the system to find and install the files it needs on its own.
8. When asked, restart your computer.
9. Check to see if your Linux distribution is working right after you restart it.

Use the Microsoft Store to install:

1. Click the icon for the Microsoft Store on the taskbar or in the Start menu.
2. Type wsl into the search bar.
3. Choose the Windows Subsystem for Linux app from the list of results from your search.
4. If you haven’t already downloaded and set up the app, click on Get to do so.
5. If the Windows Subsystem for Linux has already been set up, click Open.

Use Windows PowerShell to install:

1. To open the search box, press the Windows key and the S key at the same time.
2. Type PowerShell and click Run as administrator.
3. When a pop-up asks, “Do you want to let this app make changes to your device?” click “Yes”.
4. Copy and paste the following command into the PowerShell window: wsl –set up.
5. To run the command, press Enter. The system will start to look for and install the essential parts it needs.
6. After the installation is done, restart your computer.
7. Check to see if the mistake still happens.

Check for Malware

If you get a WSL register distribution failed error in Windows, it could be because of a virus or other malware. To rule out this possibility and make sure that the computer is not infected, it is important to run a full security scan. This can help keep the Windows operating system from having more problems and make sure it is working right. If you have access to a security scanner or if your company pays for one, you can use it to look for viruses on your whole system. If you don’t want to do that, you can scan your system with Windows Defender:

1. Click or press the Windows key on your keyboard to open the Windows Start menu.
2. Type Microsoft Defender in the search box and click on Microsoft Defender Antivirus to open the program.
3. Click on Virus and threat protection in the menu on the left.
4. Click either “Quick scan” or “Full scan,” depending on what you want to do.
5. If you choose Quick scan, Microsoft Defender Antivirus will check your computer’s most vulnerable and frequently infected areas.
6. If you choose Full scan, Microsoft Defender Antivirus will look at all of the files, folders, and programs on your computer.
7. Click “Scan now” to start the type of scan you chose, then wait for the scan to finish.
8. How long it takes depends on how big your hard drive is and how many files are being scanned.
9. Once the scan is done, you’ll be told about any threats found, and you can choose to put them in quarantine or get rid of them.
10. If Microsoft Defender Antivirus doesn’t find any threats, it will tell you that your device is safe.

Deploy the Virtual Machine

1. Click the button that says “Start.”
2. Type optionalfeatures into the search bar and hit Enter.
3. Look at the list and make sure the box next to the Virtual Machine Platform option is checked.
4. To confirm the changes, click OK.
5. After the Virtual Machine Platform feature has been installed, you can try to update or reinstall the WSL program.
6. Check to see if the problem is fixed and WSL is working properly.

Install Windows Updates

1. To open the Run box, press the Windows key + R.
2. In the text box, type ms-settings:windowsupdate and press Enter.
3. Click the button labeled “Check for Updates.”
4. Click the Download & Install all button if there is a new update.
5. After the process is done, you should restart your computer and check to see if the problem is fixed.

Restart the LxssManager Service

1. To open the Run box, press the Windows key + R.
2. Press Enter after typing services.msc to open the Services window.
3. Look in the list for the LxssManager Service.
4. Click right on it.
5. Choose Restart from the menu that pops up.

What Causes the Error 0x80370102 in Windows?

This error can be caused by a number of things, especially problems with the hardware. Here are the most common causes of this problem:

1. Hyper-V and other important settings are turned off. Hyper-V is a Microsoft product that lets you create and run a virtual machine. For you to be able to install and run distros, this service and other important ones, like the Virtualization setting, should be turned on in the BIOS.
2. You are using Windows Insider Preview build. If you are not using a fully developed version of Windows, you may also run into errors like this one.
3. The Lxssmanager.exe service is broken. This service is in charge of starting up new WSL instances. If this service is broken or just not working right, you won’t be able to install a Linux distribution to use with Windows Subsystem for Linux 2.