Linux – Fixing ‘Input/output error’ from .bashrc in Windows Subsystem for Linux

bashwindowswindows-subsystem-for-linux

I mistakenly edited the .bashrc file for my WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) Bash using a Windows text editor (Notepad++).

Now whenever I run Bash I get the following error:

bash: /root/.bashrc: Input/output error

How can I fix this? I tried saving with Linux file endings (LF only) but that didn't work.

There are a couple of solutions:

Use a Linux / Ubuntu app to modify files these files (vim, emacs, nano, etc...).

One person said editing with nano and re-saving the file fixed the issue.

If that doesn't work you can try the nuclear option of re-installing:

In my case, nothing got it fixed. I used following command to delete BashOnWindows and then reinstall it:
lxrun /uninstall /full

lxrun /install /y

Enter bash
Type the command sudo vim /etc/passwd
Find your account's line, which might look like:
harry:x:1000:1000:"",,,:/home/harry:/bin/bash
Change the home directory, which above is /home/harry, to the new directory, using WSL notation (If you want to set Windows directory as home directory, you need to prepend it with /mnt/, like /mnt/c for C:/, /mnt/d for D:/, etc)
Save the file and exit vim by typing :wq and press Enter
Exit bash and re-launch it
To test, use the commands:
cd ~
pwd

Let me know if you need more information.