Docker Daemon Panic: Crypto Hash Function Unavailable — Docker 29.4.1 Fix

What this error means

panic: crypto: requested hash function #0 is unavailable is a Docker failure pattern reported for developers trying to fix docker daemon crash with panic: crypto: requested hash function #0 is unavailable in docker 29.4.1. Based on the imported evidence, treat this as a tool-specific troubleshooting page rather than a generic API error.

Why this happens

GitHub issue (2026-05-07) with full panic stack trace. Docker 29.4.1-specific regression. Exact error signature is the Go crypto panic message — highly distinctive and searchable.

Common causes

• Docker daemon dies unexpectedly with a Go crypto panic in version 29.4.1, making containers completely unavailable. This is a critical infrastructure failure that blocks all Docker operations. The exact error string is highly specific and searchable.
• GitHub issue (2026-05-07) with full panic stack trace. Docker 29.4.1-specific regression. Exact error signature is the Go crypto panic message — highly distinctive and searchable.

Quick fixes

1. Confirm the exact error signature matches panic: crypto: requested hash function #0 is unavailable.
2. Check the Docker account, local tool state, and provider configuration involved in the failing workflow.
3. Compare the failing environment with a known working setup, then change one configuration value at a time.

Platform/tool-specific checks

• Verify the command, editor, extension, or API client that produced the error.
• Compare local settings with CI, deployment, or editor-level settings when the error appears in only one environment.
• Avoid deleting credentials, local model data, or project settings until the failing scope is clear.

Step-by-step troubleshooting

1. Capture the exact error message and the command, editor action, or request that triggered it.
2. Check whether the failure is account/auth, quota/rate, model/provider, local runtime, or deployment configuration.
3. Review the source evidence below and compare it with your environment.
4. Apply one change at a time and rerun the smallest failing action.
5. Keep the working fix documented for the team or deployment environment.

How to prevent it

• Keep provider/tool configuration documented.
• Record non-secret diagnostics such as tool version, provider name, model name, and command path.
• Add a lightweight check before CI or production workflows depend on the tool.

Sources checked

• https://github.com/moby/moby/issues/52578

Evidence note: GitHub issue (2026-05-07) with full panic stack trace. Docker 29.4.1-specific regression. Exact error signature is the Go crypto panic message — highly distinctive and searchable.

Related errors

• Docker daemon crash on startup
• Docker 29.4.1 regression

FAQ

What should I check first?

Start with the exact panic: crypto: requested hash function #0 is unavailable text and the smallest action that reproduces it.

Can I ignore this error?

No. Treat it as a failed Docker workflow until the root cause is understood.

Is this guaranteed to have one fix?

No. The imported evidence supports the troubleshooting path above, but tool behavior can vary by account, plan, version, provider, and local configuration.

How do I know the fix worked?

Rerun the same command, editor action, or request. The fix is working when that action completes without panic: crypto: requested hash function #0 is unavailable.