How to Run Oracle Database XE on Docker and Connect with PL/SQL Developer on Windows 11

Oracle Database is one of the most popular enterprise databases. Instead of installing Oracle directly on Windows, we can run it inside Docker, making installation much easier and cleaner.

In this guide, you'll learn how to:

• Install Oracle Database XE using Docker
• Connect to the database using PL/SQL Developer
• Create your own database user
• Fix the common OCI initialization error

---

Prerequisites

Before starting, make sure you have:

• Windows 11
• Docker Desktop installed and running
• Internet connection
• PL/SQL Developer installer

---

Architecture

Windows 11
│
├── Docker Desktop
│      │
│      └── Oracle Database XE
│             │
│             ├── Port 1521 (Database)
│             └── Port 5500 (Enterprise Manager)
│
└── PL/SQL Developer
        │
        └── localhost:1521

---

Step 1: Verify Docker Installation

Open PowerShell.

Run:

docker --version

Example:

Docker version 28.x.x

Now verify Docker is running.

docker ps

If Docker is working, you'll see something similar to:

CONTAINER ID   IMAGE   COMMAND   CREATED   STATUS   PORTS   NAMES

An empty list is perfectly fine.

---

Step 2: Pull Oracle Database XE Image

We'll use the excellent Oracle XE image maintained by gvenzl.

docker pull gvenzl/oracle-xe:21

This image is approximately 2–3 GB, so downloading may take a few minutes.

---

Step 3: Create Oracle Database Container

Run:

Command Prompt

docker run -d ^
--name oracle-xe ^
-p 1521:1521 ^
-p 5500:5500 ^
-e ORACLE_PASSWORD=oracle ^
-v oracle-data:/opt/oracle/oradata ^
gvenzl/oracle-xe:21

PowerShell

docker volume create oracle-data

docker run -d `
--name oracle-xe `
-p 1521:1521 `
-p 5500:5500 `
-e ORACLE_PASSWORD=oracle `
-v oracle-data:/opt/oracle/oradata `
gvenzl/oracle-xe:21

What do these options mean?

Option	Description
-d	Run container in background
--name oracle-xe	Container name
-p 1521:1521	Oracle Database port
-p 5500:5500	Enterprise Manager port
ORACLE_PASSWORD	Password for SYSTEM and SYS
-v oracle-data	Persist database files

---

Step 4: Wait Until Database Starts

Check running containers.

docker ps

If the container is running, check its logs.

docker logs oracle-xe

Wait until you see:

DATABASE IS READY TO USE!

The first startup usually takes 3–5 minutes.

---

Step 5: Verify Database Inside the Container

Open a shell inside the container.

docker exec -it oracle-xe bash

Now connect to Oracle.

sqlplus system/oracle@XEPDB1

Run:

SELECT * FROM dual;

Expected output:

X
-
X

Exit SQL*Plus.

exit

---

Step 6: Install Oracle Instant Client

PL/SQL Developer requires Oracle Instant Client.

Download:

• Oracle Instant Client Basic Package

Extract it to:

C:\oracle\instantclient_23_0

---

Important: Choose the Correct Bit Version

This is where many people get stuck.

Your Oracle Instant Client must match the bit version of PL/SQL Developer.

PL/SQL Developer	Oracle Instant Client
32-bit	32-bit
64-bit	64-bit

If they don't match, you'll get this error:

Initialization error

Could not initialize OCI.DLL

Make sure you have the 32 bits Oracle Client installed.

How to check?

If PL/SQL Developer is installed in

C:\Program Files (x86)\

then install the 32-bit Oracle Instant Client.

If it's installed in

C:\Program Files\

install the 64-bit Oracle Instant Client.

---

Step 7: Configure PL/SQL Developer

Open PL/SQL Developer.

Go to:

Tools
→ Preferences
→ Oracle

Set the OCI Library path.

Example:

C:\oracle\instantclient_23_0\oci.dll

Restart PL/SQL Developer.

---

Step 8: Connect to Oracle Database

Use the following credentials.

Field	Value
Username	system
Password	oracle
Database	localhost:1521/XEPDB1
Connection	Normal

Click Connect.

---

Step 9: Create Your Own User

It's not recommended to work using the SYSTEM account.

Create your own user.

CREATE USER debu IDENTIFIED BY password;

Grant privileges.

GRANT CONNECT, RESOURCE TO debu;

Allow unlimited tablespace.

ALTER USER debu QUOTA UNLIMITED ON USERS;

Reconnect using:

Field	Value
Username	debu
Password	password
Database	localhost:1521/XEPDB1

---

Step 10: Test Everything

Create a table.

CREATE TABLE employee
(
    id NUMBER PRIMARY KEY,
    name VARCHAR2(100)
);

Insert data.

INSERT INTO employee
VALUES (1, 'Debu');

Commit.

COMMIT;

Query the table.

SELECT *
FROM employee;

Expected output:

ID    NAME
--------------
1     Debu

Congratulations! Your Oracle database is working.

---

Useful Docker Commands

Start Oracle

docker start oracle-xe

---

Stop Oracle

docker stop oracle-xe

---

Restart Oracle

docker restart oracle-xe

---

View Logs

docker logs oracle-xe

---

Open Bash

docker exec -it oracle-xe bash

---

Remove Container

docker rm -f oracle-xe

---

Remove Image

docker rmi gvenzl/oracle-xe:21

---

Common Errors

OCI.DLL Initialization Error

Error:

Could not initialize OCI.DLL

Reason:

PL/SQL Developer and Oracle Instant Client have different architectures (32-bit vs 64-bit).

Solution:

Install the Oracle Instant Client that matches your PL/SQL Developer version.

---

Database Is Not Ready

If login fails immediately after starting the container:

Run:

docker logs oracle-xe

Wait until:

DATABASE IS READY TO USE!

Then reconnect.

---

Wrong Username or Password

Make sure you're using the password specified in:

-e ORACLE_PASSWORD=oracle

If you changed it, use that password instead.

---

Connection Summary

Setting	Value
Host	localhost
Port	1521
Service Name	XEPDB1
Username	debu
Password	password

---

Conclusion

Using Docker to run Oracle Database XE keeps your development environment clean, portable, and easy to manage. By combining Docker with PL/SQL Developer, you get a powerful local Oracle development setup without installing Oracle directly on Windows.

Remember to:

• Use Docker volumes to persist your data.
• Match the Oracle Instant Client architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) with PL/SQL Developer.
• Create your own database users instead of working with the SYSTEM account.

Happy coding!