Matlab R2019b no window manager on Ubuntu 18.04

Hi,

Recently when I start matlab the application has no window manager i.e. no top bar, minimize/maximize buttons etc. Even the keyboard shortcuts for these actions have no effect. This behaviour started recently and I am not sure why or how to find the root cause. Does anyone have any hints?

Thanks in advance.

[Marcel]

The solution of Ulrich works, but I just want to say it is most likely due to your panel/taskbar settings. If it is set to 'auto-hide' or 'always hidden', MATLAB seems to have trouble with it.

Answer 1

[Ulrich Knechtelsdorfer]

This issue occures sometimes on my setup too. Additionally MATLAB starts in "full screen" but without all the window decorations.

Following workaround works for me:

1.Close MATLAB

2.in ~/.matlab/R2020b/MATLABDesktop.xml

delete the entry

<Location External="yes" Height="1237" Type="floating" Width="1920" X="1920" Y="-37"/>

3.Start MATLAB again

Also, just deleting ~/.matlab/R2020b/MATLABDesktop.xml works but kills your MATLAB workspace configuration.

[Thien-Minh Nguyen]

This is the answer for my case.

[Federico Zabaleta]

This works for me, but I have to do it every time I open matlab. Is there any definitive fix?

[Álex RM]

Thanks a lot, this was driving me crazy

[Karen Kopecky]

Thanks!!

[Jared]

Yes, thanks, for R2023b

[Matteo]

This also worked for me on R2024b on Linux Mint 22.1 (Cinnamon). Thanks!

Answer 2

[Anurag Agrawal]

Try these workarounds

1. Refresh the file system caches using the following commands:

>> restoredefaultpath

>> rehash toolboxcacheno

2. Kill the process. Then right-click on the icon and use Run as Administrator and see if you get anywhere. If it works, then you should not need to Run as Administrator in the future, just the once.

3. Also make sure you have installed it properly.

If this doesn't solve your issue, you can create a service request here:

https://www.mathworks.com/support/contact_us.html

[Joao Fayad]

Unfortunatley those steps did not work. I will try a reinstall when I find some time as a last resort.

Thanks.

[Anurag Agrawal]

Yeah, looks like it's an installation issue.

[Joao Fayad]

I took the opportunity to intall MATLAB R2020a and the issue still remains :(

I get the "Failed to load module "canberra-gtk-module"" error at start. Not sure if it has any relation.

EDIT:

I forgot to say I connect my laptop to a secondary screen. After initializing MATLAB without the screen connected it came on with a window manager. After this I have been able to get it both with and without a window manager when using the external screen. At least now I have a workaround.

[Hugo Rezende]

Thanks @Joao Fayad! I was struggling with the same issue!