Runpod•3d ago

Not able to start docker on CPU pods

I used to be able to run docker on CPU pods last year without needing to do anything else than just installing docker, but now I am not able to start docker after installing it. I get this error:

Cannot connect to the Docker daemon at unix:///var/run/docker.sock. Is the docker daemon running?

Cannot connect to the Docker daemon at unix:///var/run/docker.sock. Is the docker daemon running?

So, naturally I try sudo systemctl start docker but then I get this error:

System has not been booted with systemd as init system (PID 1). Can't operate.
Failed to connect to bus: Host is down

System has not been booted with systemd as init system (PID 1). Can't operate.
Failed to connect to bus: Host is down

Ok, even this doesn't work than I try to run the docker daemon in attached mode by this sudo dockerdand I get this error at the end and it exits:

INFO[2025-10-18T12:23:16.396620627Z] stopping healthcheck following graceful shutdown  module=libcontainerd
failed to start daemon: Error initializing network controller: error obtaining controller instance: failed to register "bridge" driver: failed to create NAT chain DOCKER: iptables failed: iptables --wait -t nat -N DOCKER: iptables v1.8.7 (nf_tables): Could not fetch rule set generation id: Permission denied (you must be root)

 (exit status 4)

INFO[2025-10-18T12:23:16.396620627Z] stopping healthcheck following graceful shutdown  module=libcontainerd
failed to start daemon: Error initializing network controller: error obtaining controller instance: failed to register "bridge" driver: failed to create NAT chain DOCKER: iptables failed: iptables --wait -t nat -N DOCKER: iptables v1.8.7 (nf_tables): Could not fetch rule set generation id: Permission denied (you must be root)

 (exit status 4)

How do i make it work? This is on compute type cpu5g with 2vcpu and 8GB RAM

message.txt

11 Replies

riverfog7•3d ago

Docker don't work on runpod

YoYoOP•3d ago

I know docker doesn't work on their GPU pods. But since when did they stop supporting CPU pods as well? Just last year I was using their CPU pods and running my compose setups on them just fine

riverfog7•3d ago

https://www.runpod.io/blog/enhanced-cpu-pods-docker-network

Runpod

Enhanced CPU Pods Now Support Docker and Network Volumes | Runpod Blog

We’ve upgraded Runpod CPU pods with Docker runtime and network volume support—giving you more flexibility, better storage options, and smoother dev workflows.

riverfog7•3d ago

@YoYo

riverfog7•3d ago

YoYoOP•3d ago

Wow, that's just super shitty Anyway thanks for the info @riverfog7

riverfog7•3d ago

lol

riverfog7•3d ago

https://docs.runpod.io/tutorials/pods/build-docker-images

Runpod Documentation

Build Docker Images on Runpod with Bazel - Runpod Documentation

riverfog7•3d ago

try this @YoYo

YoYoOP•3d ago

I had credits left that I loaded last year thought let's just consume them, I can't even do that now. Na, I am not doing that. I have to learn a new build tool just to be able to test my container setup. I am going to bother with that.

Dj•2d ago

We've been experimenting with something called udocker, which might do what you want, but I would recommend retrofitting your existing image just to be the pod itself. Happy to help with that, in general you can just change the start command in the UI.

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Not able to start docker on CPU pods

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