Running graphical Linux desktop applications from WSL 2 – "Error E233: cannot open display"

Question

How can I run graphical Linux desktop applications from the command line of Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)?

First, I installed WSL 2 following these steps on how to install Linux on Windows with WSL :

1. I installed Windows 10 Pro Insider Preview Build 19619.

2. I installed the Ubuntu Linux distribution.

3. I changed the distribution version from WSL 1 to WSL 2.

Second, to enable graphical Linux desktop applications from the Bash shell of WSL, I followed these steps on how to run graphical Linux desktop applications from Windows 10’s Bash shell :

4. I installed an X Server that is Xming.

5. As a test I installed the graphical GTK-based editor Vim :

   sudo apt-get install vim-gtk

6. I set my display environment variable :

   export DISPLAY=:0

7. I tried to launch the application :

   gvim

   However, this did not launch the application. I got the following errors :

   E233: cannot open display
   Press ENTER or type command to continue
   E852: The child process failed to start the GUI
   Press ENTER or type command to continue
   

Any idea why this error is occurring?

Answer 1

There's a troubleshooting section here for debugging X11 on wsl2:

https://github.com/cascadium/wsl-windows-toolbar-launcher/blob/master/README.md#troubleshooting

Port forwarding is not the same as WSL1 - your Linux services may be accessible via localhost for windows, but the reverse is no longer true.

So you need to use the internal IP of your windows host and tweak the firewall to allow the WSL network through.

Answer 2

Adding to fquinner's answer,

Your DISPLAY env variable should be set as export DISPLAY=X.X.X.X:0 to use the Windows host's IP address as WSL2 and the Windows host are not in the same network device, where X.X.X.X is the IP address

and your IP address is listed in resolv.conf against the nameserver ($ cat /etc/resolv.conf)

or simply export DISPLAY="`grep nameserver /etc/resolv.conf | sed 's/nameserver //'`:0" to load the correct IP address automatically. Additionally, you can add this to .bashrc or .zshrc (If you use Zsh)

Answer 3

Had the same problem so I tried these other suggestions but what ended up working was allowing vcxsrv through the public firewall. I know you're not using vcxsrv but perhaps it's the same problem for you too.

Install VcXsrv then enable public firewall like these pictures. Open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security using wf.msc at command prompt. Then allow connections like in these pictures.

[

Then run VcXsrv from this guide for Windows 10 WSL2

Run VcXsrv by adding -ac addition parameter or type this at command prompt "C:\Program Files\VcXsrv\vcxsrv.exe" :0 -multiwindow -clipboard -wgl -ac

Then type this into your WSL2 terminal

export DISPLAY_NUMBER="0.0"
export DISPLAY=$(grep -m 1 nameserver /etc/resolv.conf | awk '{print $2}'):$DISPLAY_NUMBER
export LIBGL_ALWAYS_INDIRECT=1
# OPTIONAL Set the keyboard layout to US
setxkbmap -layout us
setsid emacs
exit

Answer 4

The following instructions were copied and pasted from an article I wrote but it lost the original formatting, links, and screenshots:

Source: How to Install Ubuntu Desktop with a Graphical User Interface in WSL2

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Download VcXsrv: Visit the official website Click "Download"

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Install VcXsrv: Open "vcxsrv-64.1.20.8.1.installer.exe" Click "Next" Click "Install" Click "Close"

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Allow Access to VcXsrv: Check "Private Networks" Click "Allow Access"

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Open PowerShell: Press "⊞ Windows" Enter "PowerShell" into the search bar Right-click "Windows PowerShell" Click "Run as Administrator"

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Open WSL2: Copy the command from below these instructions Paste the command into PowerShell Press "Enter"

wsl

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Install Ubuntu Desktop: Copy the command from below these instructions Paste the command into PowerShell Press "Enter"

sudo apt --yes install ubuntu-desktop

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Set the Username Variable: Copy the command from below these instructions Paste the command into PowerShell Press "Enter"

username=$(wslvar USERNAME)

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Create the Ubuntu Directory: Copy the command from below these instructions Paste the command into PowerShell Press "Enter"

mkdir --parents /mnt/c/users/$username/.ubuntu/

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Open the Ubuntu Directory: Copy the command from below these instructions Paste the command into PowerShell Press "Enter"

cd /mnt/c/users/$username/.ubuntu

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Download Linux Software Repository for Microsoft Products: Copy the command from below these instructions Paste the command into PowerShell Press "Enter"

Ubuntu 20.04: wget https://packages.microsoft.com/config/ubuntu/20.04/packages-microsoft-prod.deb --output-document packages-microsoft-prod.deb Ubuntu 18.04: wget https://packages.microsoft.com/config/ubuntu/18.04/packages-microsoft-prod.deb --output-document packages-microsoft-prod.deb

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Install Linux Software Repository for Microsoft Products: Copy the command from below these instructions Paste the command into PowerShell Press "Enter"

sudo dpkg --install packages-microsoft-prod.deb

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Update the Repositories: Copy the command from below these instructions Paste the command into PowerShell Press "Enter"

sudo apt update

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Install APT Transport for HTTPS: Copy the command from below these instructions Paste the command into PowerShell Press "Enter"

sudo apt install --yes apt-transport-https

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Update the Repositories: Copy the command from below these instructions Paste the command into PowerShell Press "Enter"

sudo apt update

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Install .Net: Copy the command from below these instructions Paste the command into PowerShell Press "Enter"

sudo apt install --yes dotnet-sdk-5.0

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Add Arkane Systems to the Source List Directory: Copy the command from below these instructions Paste the command into PowerShell Press "Enter"

sudo sh -c 'echo "deb [trusted=yes] https://wsl-translinux.arkane-systems.net/apt/ /" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/wsl-translinux.list'

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Update the Repositories: Copy the command from below these instructions Paste the command into PowerShell Press "Enter"

sudo apt update

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Install Genie: Copy the command from below these instructions Paste the command into PowerShell Press "Enter"

sudo apt install --yes systemd-genie

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Create the Sudoers File: Copy the command from below these instructions Paste the command into PowerShell Press "Enter"

echo "$USER ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD:/usr/bin/genie" | sudo EDITOR="tee" visudo --file /etc/sudoers.d/$USER

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Create the Desktop Script: Copy the code from below these instructions Paste the code into PowerShell Press "Enter"

# CREATE BASH SCRIPT

# Store block of text with here document
create_bash_script=$(cat << end_of_string

# Define necessary environment variables
export DISPLAY="\$(cat /etc/resolv.conf | grep nameserver | awk '{ print \$2 }'):1.0"
export DESKTOP_SESSION="ubuntu"
export GDMSESSION="ubuntu"
export XDG_SESSION_DESKTOP="ubuntu"
export XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP="ubuntu:GNOME"
export XDG_SESSION_TYPE="x11"
export XDG_BACKEND="x11"
export XDG_SESSION_CLASS="user"
export XDG_DATA_DIRS="/usr/local/share/:/usr/share/:/var/lib/snapd/desktop"
export XDG_CONFIG_DIRS="/etc/xdg"
export XDG_RUNTIME_DIR="\$HOME/xdg"
export XDG_CONFIG_HOME="\$HOME/.config"
export XDG_DATA_HOME="\$HOME/.local/share" 
export XDG_CACHE_HOME="\$HOME/.cache"
export XDG_DESKTOP_DIR="\$HOME/Desktop"
export XDG_DOCUMENTS_DIR="\$HOME/Documents"
export XDG_DOWNLOAD_DIR="\$HOME/Downloads"
export XDG_MUSIC_DIR="\$HOME/Music"
export XDG_PICTURES_DIR="\$HOME/Pictures"
export XDG_PUBLICSHARE_DIR="\$HOME/Public"
export XDG_TEMPLATES_DIR="\$HOME/Templates"
export XDG_VIDEOS_DIR="\$HOME/Videos"

# Start desktop environment
gnome-session

end_of_string
)

# Store username environment variable in lowercase
username=$(wslvar USERNAME | awk '{ print tolower($0) }') &&

# Save block of text in bash file
echo "${create_bash_script}" > "/mnt/c/users/$username/.ubuntu/02_start_desktop.sh"

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Download the Shortcut Images: Copy the command from below these instructions Paste the command into PowerShell Press "Enter"

wget https://assets.ubuntu.com/v1/9fbc8a44-circle-of-friends-web.zip

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Unzip the Shortcut Images: Copy the command from below these instructions Paste the command into PowerShell Press "Enter"

unzip -o 9fbc8a44-circle-of-friends-web.zip

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Create the Shortcut Icon: Copy the command from below these instructions Paste the command into PowerShell Press "Enter"

convert -resize 64x64 ./circle-of-friends-web/png/cof_orange_hex.png ubuntu.ico

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Exit WSL2: Copy the command from below these instructions Paste the command into PowerShell Press "Enter"

exit

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Create the VcXsrv Script: Copy the code from below these instructions Paste the code into PowerShell Press "Enter"

# RELOAD VCXSRV SCRIPT

# Store username environment variable in lowercase
$username = $env:username.tolower()  

# Store block of text with here-string
$reload_vcxsrv_script = @"

# Stop vcxsrv proccess that contains "1.0" in the program window title
get-process vcxsrv | where { `$_.mainwindowtitle -like "*1.0*" } | stop-process

# Start vcxsrv process in a large program window on display number one
start-process "c:\program files\vcxsrv\vcxsrv.exe" -argument ":1 -ac -nowgl -multimonitors -dpms"

"@

# Save block of text in powershell file
echo "${reload_vcxsrv_script}" > $env:userprofile/.ubuntu/reload_vcxsrv.ps1

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Create the Ubuntu Script: Copy the code from below these instructions Paste the code into PowerShell Press "Enter"

# CREATE VISUAL BASIC SCRIPT

# Store username environment variable in lowercase
$username = $env:username.tolower()           

# Store block of text with here-string
$create_vbs_script = @"

' Run PowerShell script in background
set application = createobject("shell.application")
application.shellexecute "powershell", "-file c:\users\admin\.ubuntu\01_reload_vcxsrv.ps1", "", "", 0

' Allow PowerShell script to complete
wscript.sleep 3000

' Run Bash script in background
set shell= createobject("wscript.shell")
shell.run "wsl sudo genie -c bash /mnt/c/users/admin/.ubuntu/02_start_desktop.sh", 0

"@

# Save block of text in bash file
echo "${create_vbs_script}" > $env:userprofile/.ubuntu/03_start_ubuntu.vbs

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Create the Shortcut Script: Copy the code from below these instructions Paste the code into PowerShell Press "Enter"

# Store block of text with here-string
$create_shortcut_script = @"

# Define location variables
`$shortcut_location = "`$env:userprofile\.ubuntu\Ubuntu.lnk"
`$program_location = "`$env:userprofile\.ubuntu\03_start_ubuntu.vbs"

# Create shortcut
`$object = new-object -comobject wscript.shell
`$shortcut = `$object.createshortcut(`$shortcut_location)
`$shortcut.targetpath = `$program_location
`$shortcut.iconlocation = "`$env:userprofile\.ubuntu\ubuntu.ico"
`$shortcut.save()

"@

# Save block of text in powershell file
echo $create_shortcut_script > $env:userprofile/.ubuntu/04_create_shortcut.ps1

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Open the Ubuntu Directory: Copy the command from below these instructions Paste the command into PowerShell Press "Enter"

cd c:\users\admin\.ubuntu

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Create the Shortcut: Copy the command from below these instructions Paste the command into PowerShell Press "Enter"

powershell.exe -file .\04_create_shortcut.ps1

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Open the Directory in Explorer: Copy the command from below these instructions Paste the command into PowerShell Press "Enter"

explorer .

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Launch the Ubuntu Desktop: Double-click the "Ubuntu" shortcut

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Open Terminal: Click "Activities" in the top-left corner Enter "Terminal" into the search bar Click "Terminal"

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Disable the Screen Lock: Copy the command from below these instructions Paste the command into Terminal Press "Enter"

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.screensaver lock-enabled false

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Install the Snap Store: Copy the command from below these instructions Paste the command into Terminal Press "Enter"

sudo snap install snap-store

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Answer 5

2022 update. simplest way, works without 3rd party apps

1. update your Windows to 22H2 or to W11, reboot
2. do wsl --update, reboot

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original answer

This worked for WSL1, for WSL2 set appropriate IP adress

1. install xming server
2. on WSL run export DISPLAY=localhost:0.0

Answer 6

The networking subsystem in WSL2 is different than the used in WSL1. You must consider the differences to access networking apps running on Windows and on Linux:

• In WSL1, Linux uses the same IP addresses than the Windows host, then, you can access the applications using localhost or 127.0.0.1
• In WSL2, Linux runs on a lightweight virtual machine and has a different IP address. To access networking apps running on the Windows Host you must use the Windows IP address.

Checking the IP address of the Windows host

There are many ways to determine the IP addresses in the Windows host. You may run the following commands in your WSL Linux:

• cat /etc/resolv.conf shows the IP address of the eth0 interface in Windows
• ipconfig.exe shows the all the IP configuration in the Windows host
• route.exe print shows the network routing configuration in the Windows host

Setting the DISPLAY variable for WSL2

Based on the Microsoft documentation, you may set the DISPLAY variable checking the nameserver in the /etc/resolv.conf file. (@fqquiner and @VPraharsha already mentioned this)

export DISPLAY=$(grep nameserver /etc/resolv.conf | awk '{print $2}'):0.0

However, I had problems using this solution, probably because I use my notebook with a WiFi connection and multiple virtual networks. Instead of the previous solution, I determine the Windows IP address using route.exe and checking the interface used in the default gateway.

export DISPLAY=$(route.exe print | grep 0.0.0.0 | head -1 | awk '{print $4}'):0.0

Setting the DISPLAY variable in the .profile

You may set the DISPLAY variable in your ~/.profile file. I used the following code:

# set DISPLAY to use X terminal in WSL
# in WSL2 the localhost and network interfaces are not the same than windows
if grep -q WSL2 /proc/version; then
    # execute route.exe in the windows to determine its IP address
    DISPLAY=$(route.exe print | grep 0.0.0.0 | head -1 | awk '{print $4}'):0.0

else
    # In WSL1 the DISPLAY can be the localhost address
    if grep -q icrosoft /proc/version; then
        DISPLAY=127.0.0.1:0.0
    fi

fi

Answer 7

In case anyone didn't know, there is an easier way. In 2021, Microsoft gave us WSLg.

Windows 11 and Windows 10 22H2 (build 19044.2311 or later) include WSLg.
Drivers for vGPU (Intel AMD Nvidia) are recommended.

WSLg is not compatible with WSL1. New WSL2 instances will basically just work™.
Older WSL2 systems will need to be updated once:

1. In administrative PowerShell: wsl --update
2. wsl --shutdown to force a restart of the WSL

Don't forget to remove any other modifications to $DISPLAY that you may have made!

Answer 8

Updating my answer with more recent information than was available at the time the question was originally asked. Keep in mind, though, that because this question is closed and off-topic here on Stack Overflow, eventually the answers here may become stale, since no new answers can be posted. I recommend checking Super User or Ask Ubuntu for more on-topic and still-open questions on this topic. It's always possible for a better answer to come along in the future.

Some existing questions for reference:

• (Super User) How to run GUI apps with Windows Subsystem for Linux
• (Ask Ubuntu) Running GUI apps under WSL
• (Ask Ubuntu) What's the easiest way to run GUI apps on Windows Subsystem for Linux?

With that in mind, the information below is currently mostly copied from my Super User answer to the question above.

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There are (at least) three options:

• With the release of WSL 1.0.0 (WSL via Microsoft Store application), both Windows 10 and Windows 11 users have full access to WSLg, which allows Linux GUI applications (X or Wayland) to run directly on WSL2 with no additional configuration. Prior to 1.0.0, this feature was limited to Windows 11 users.

  Windows 10 users will need to be on a build ending in .2311 or higher, which currently means installing KB5020030. If the final four digits of your build number are lower than 2311, make sure your Windows is up-to-date, then find KB5020030 in the Optional Updates.

  Once on an up-to-date Windows 10 or Windows 11 system, either:

  Install WSL from the Microsoft Store or ...

  wsl --install
  # or, if already installed
  wsl --update
  # confirm 1.0.0 or later via:
  wsl --version
  

• A legacy alternative is the one that harrymc offers of installing a third-party X server. I won't repeat the information on how to do so since it's already covered in that answer, although I will say that export DISPLAY=$(hostname).local:0 will typically work, and is more concise. This uses mDNS as I go into detail on in this answer.

• Finally, if you want to run a Linux desktop under WSL, you might want to consider RDP. You can install xrdp and just access a Linux desktop using Windows Remote Desktop connection. See my steps for doing so in this Ask Ubuntu answer. Note that only xfce is really necessary, although the answer includes more detail on running something more complex like Gnome Desktop.