The Ubuntu terminal may issue an error – Failed fork on Windows 10. This terminal is installed under the Windows Subsystem for Linux feature. The cause of this error is a lack of memory and may occur when a user is trying to get the latest updates for the terminal. The error reads:
# apt-get update
FATAL -> Impossible to overflow.
Failed Fork error with Ubuntu under Windows 10
If you receive a Failed to Fork error with Ubuntu under Windows 10, we suggest you try our following suggestions:
- Create a new exchange file.
- Disable the antivirus.
1) Create a new exchange file
Open the terminal for the Windows subsystem for the Linux distribution and enter the following command to create a new Exchange file and allocate 4 gigabytes to it:
sudo fallocate -1 4G /swapfile
Make the file more secure by entering this command:
sudo chmod 600 /swapfile
Set the swap space with this command:
sudo mkswap /swapfile
Then enable the swap space with this command:
sudo swapon /swapfile
Restart your computer after closing the distribution and check. Your mistake should be corrected.
2) disable the antivirus
Your antivirus may affect the operation of WSL terminal activities. We recommend that you temporarily disable the antivirus solution or Windows Defender and check if this fixes the error.
Activate it once the operation is complete.
We hope that you have found the easy steps to follow and that you have successfully solved the problem.
