How I Solved the "Permission Denied" Error with Docker on Ubuntu


Today, while working with Docker on my Ubuntu system, I encountered a frustrating error when trying to run Docker commands:

permission denied while trying to connect to the Docker daemon socket at unix:///var/run/docker.sock

This error popped up because I didn’t have the necessary permissions to interact with the Docker daemon. After some research, I found a quick and effective solution.

Step 1: Adding Myself to the Docker Group

The first step I took was to add myself to the docker group. This allows me to run Docker commands without needing to use sudo. Here’s the command I used:

sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

After running this command, I logged out and then logged back in to apply the changes. But if you want to avoid logging out, you can simply run:

newgrp docker

This command applies the group change immediately, and I found it super convenient.

Step 2: Using sudo for Docker Commands

Before adding myself to the Docker group, I also tried running Docker commands with sudo:

sudo docker ps

This worked too, but I preferred the first method as it streamlined my workflow.

Conclusion

By following these steps, I successfully resolved the "Permission Denied" error and returned to working with Docker on my Ubuntu system. Whether you add yourself to the Docker group or use sudo, these solutions will give you full access to Docker's capabilities without any more permission issues.