Win32Exception on Linux and WSL Without a License Key
When running IronPDF on Ubuntu, WSL, or in a Docker container without a license key, the application throws an exception referencing xdg-open.
System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception: An error occurred trying to start process 'xdg-open' with working directory '/path/to/your/project/bin/Debug/net8.0'. No such file or directoryThree conditions must be present simultaneously for this error to occur: running on Linux or WSL, no IronPDF license key configured, and xdg-open is not installed. Without a license key, IronPDF attempts to open a browser to display a trial notice using xdg-open. The utility is absent in minimal Linux environments, causing the Win32Exception.
Solution
Step 1: Set the license key
Configure the license key before any PDF rendering call:
IronPdf.License.LicenseKey = "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY";IronPdf.License.LicenseKey = "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY"IronPdf.License.LicenseKey = "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY"A trial key also resolves the issue. Setting a valid license key prevents IronPDF from attempting to open a browser.
Step 2: Install xdg-utils
If you need to run without a license key or want to eliminate the dependency:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install xdg-utilsFor complete Linux and WSL setup, see the Linux deployment guide.
Curtis Chau holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (Carleton University) and specializes in front-end development with expertise in Node.js, TypeScript, JavaScript, and React. Passionate about crafting intuitive and aesthetically pleasing user interfaces, Curtis enjoys working with modern frameworks and creating well-structured, visually appealing manuals.
