Troubleshooting

I'm on Linux and get the error "connect EACCES /var/run/docker.sock"

Since VS Code runs as a non-root user, you will need to follow the steps in "Manage Docker as a non-root user" from Post-installation steps for Linux for the extension to be able to access docker.

Docker containers and images have disappeared from Docker view

This is most likely caused by a conflict with another extension called Docker Explorer (not authored by Microsoft). We are working with the author of that extension to have it fixed permanently. In the meantime, use a workaround described here.

The extension does not find Docker on a remote machine ("Failed to connect. Is Docker installed and running?" error)

1. Make sure Docker engine is installed on the remote machine and that Docker CLI works (do docker ps and ensure it does not return any errors).
2. Verify that Docker extension is installed on the remote machine. As of February 2020 there is a bug in VS Code that prevents the Docker extension to be installed remotely if it is already installed locally. This bug is scheduled to be fixed in VS Code 1.43 release. A workaround to get the extension installed remotely is described here.