MATLAB Stuck on Initializing... after 2025 Update

Hello everyone,

I was using MATLAB R2025a and found a notification about an available update. I clicked the update option, and it seemed to install successfully. MATLAB restarted automatically after the update, but now it gets stuck on the "Initializing" screen and never fully launches.

• OS: Windows 11
• MATLAB version: R2025a (after applying the latest update)
• No error message appears, it just hangs at initialization.

I’ve tried restarting my computer, but the problem persists.

Has anyone experienced this issue? Are there recommended steps to fix it (e.g., clearing cache, resetting preferences, safe mode, or rolling back the update)?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

[Torsten]

Contact MATLAB Technical Support:

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

[Abenezer]

Have a look at this; Evan's solution worked for me.

https://au.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/2177408-i-can-t-open-matlabr2025a-after-installing-it#answer_1568872

Answer 1

[sneha]

If MATLAB is stuck on "Initializing", "Busy", or simply won't start (and you don’t see errors), follow these steps in order:

1. Reset MATLAB Preferences

Corrupt preferences are a common cause.

1. Close MATLAB.
2. Press Windows Key + R, type %appdata%, and press Enter.
3. Navigate to MathWorks > MATLAB.
4. Rename your MATLAB version folder (e.g., R2023b → R2023b_old).
5. Do not remove folders ending in _licenses.
6. Restart MATLAB (it will create a fresh preferences folder).

2. Check for Security/Third-Party Software Issues

Antivirus or other software might block MATLAB.

• Add MATLAB to your antivirus or security software’s exceptions list.
• Temporarily disable third-party apps like AppSense, DeviceLock, LastPass, or NVIDIA RTX Desktop Manager.
• Check Windows Error Reporting logs for clues:

1. C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WER\*
2. C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\ReportArchive

3. Test for Java or Desktop Environment Issues

Try starting MATLAB in alternative modes:

• Open Command Prompt.
• Run:

1. matlab -nojvm
2. matlab -nodesktop
3. matlab -softwareopengl

• If MATLAB starts in any of these, you may have a Java issue.

1. Check for a MATLAB_JAVA environment variable and remove it if present.
2. If you get a crash file (e.g., matlab_crash*.XXXX in %TEMP%), review it for Java or graphics errors.

4. Check Installation Directory and Username

Installation folder:

• MATLAB should be in its own folder, ideally C:\Program Files\MATLAB.
• Don’t install directly to C:\ or in folders with non-English/special characters.

Username:

• If your Windows username has special/non-English characters, MATLAB may not start.
• Workaround: Set MATLAB_PREFDIR to a simple, ASCII-only folder, or create a new Windows user with only English letters.

5. Clear the TEMP Directory

• Open Windows Explorer, type %TEMP% in the address bar, and delete all files inside.

6. Check for Printer Driver Issues

• Set your default printer to "Microsoft Print to PDF".
• If issues persist, try removing or reinstalling printer drivers.

7. Check for Licensing Issues

• If you suspect a license problem (but no error appears), try:

1. Starting MATLAB with the -c flag and a valid license file.
2. Check and correct environment variables like LM_LICENSE_FILE or MLM_LICENSE_FILE.

8. Other Possible Solutions

• Network Drives: Remove slow or disconnected network folders from MATLAB’s path.
• Too Many Files on Path: Restore MATLAB’s default path.
• Special Characters in Filenames: Avoid <, >, ", |, : in MATLAB file names.
• Toolbox Cache/Source Control: Enable toolbox path cache and disable source control in MATLAB Preferences.
• Update Windows: Make sure your operating system is fully up to date.

9. Diagnostic Tools

• Run matlab -timing from Command Prompt to see which part of startup is slow.

For more detailed troubleshooting steps, you can also refer:

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/97167-why-will-matlab-not-start-up-properly-on-my-windows-based-system

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/92566-why-does-matlab-get-stuck-in-the-initializing-or-busy-state-or-take-a-long-time-to-start