Error response from daemon: pull access denied for myapp, repository does not exist
or may require 'docker login': denied: requested access to the resource is denied

Docker can’t find or access the image you’re trying to pull.

Fix 1: Check the image name

# ❌ Typo or wrong name
docker pull ngnix        # Wrong!
docker pull node:latets  # Typo!

# ✅ Correct names
docker pull nginx
docker pull node:latest

Search for the correct name: docker search nginx or check hub.docker.com.

Fix 2: Include the registry prefix

# ❌ Missing registry for non-Docker Hub images
docker pull my-company/my-app

# ✅ Include the full registry URL
docker pull ghcr.io/my-org/my-app:latest
docker pull 123456789.dkr.ecr.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/my-app:latest

Fix 3: Log in to the registry

# Docker Hub
docker login

# GitHub Container Registry
docker login ghcr.io -u USERNAME

# AWS ECR
aws ecr get-login-password --region us-east-1 | docker login --username AWS --password-stdin 123456789.dkr.ecr.us-east-1.amazonaws.com

# Google Artifact Registry
gcloud auth configure-docker us-docker.pkg.dev

Fix 4: Check the tag exists

# ❌ Tag doesn't exist
docker pull node:19-alpine-slim  # Not a real tag

# ✅ Check available tags on Docker Hub or use:
docker manifest inspect node:20-alpine

Fix 5: Platform mismatch (Apple Silicon)

# ❌ Image only has amd64, you're on ARM (M1/M2 Mac)
# ✅ Force platform
docker pull --platform linux/amd64 myimage:latest

See also: Docker cheat sheet | Docker port already in use fix