microsoft / microsoft/WSL

WSL2 refused to start if DNS's port has been occupied by other process

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Description

### Windows Version

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.22623.1325]

### WSL Version

1.0.1.0

### Are you using WSL 1 or WSL 2?

- [x] WSL 2
- [ ] WSL 1

### Kernel Version

5.15.74.2

### Distro Version

Ubuntu 22.04

### Other Software

SmartDns Rust 0.8.6 running on host windows system

### Repro Steps

1. Install SmartDNS Rust Service on host windows system.(Non-Service Might Also Cause Failure, But I'm not sure)
2. Install WSL2, and run it.
3. Crashes!

### Expected Behavior

The WSL2 Should Start Successful

### Actual Behavior

```
Error: 0xffffffff
Error code: Wsl/Service/CreateInstance/CreateVm/ConfigureNetworking/0xffffffff
```

For Detail, please refer to [Gist](https://gist.github.com/colinxu2020/a9ee1e5c4a3eef439a79097eb5b01f04).

### Diagnostic Logs

STrace Results: [Gist](https://gist.github.com/colinxu2020/a9ee1e5c4a3eef439a79097eb5b01f04)

[WslLogs-2025-05-10_12-05-08.zip](https://github.com/user-attachments/files/20133567/WslLogs-2025-05-10_12-05-08.zip)

P.S. WSL1 works fine in my case

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

Research direction

Start by reproducing the WSL2 failure with SmartDNS Rust 0.8.6 occupying the host DNS port, then review the linked Gist, STrace results, and WslLogs archive. Confirm whether the port conflict causes ConfigureNetworking/CreateVm to fail while WSL1 remains functional. Done means WSL2 starts successfully with the host DNS process running, with relevant regression coverage or diagnostics added if the repository supports them.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
cpp, rust
Domain
networking, operating-systems
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
30/100

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