Matlab R2025b failed to launch after installing on Debian 13 (Trixie)

I´ve tried to install Matlab R2025b on Debian 13. I could install it via this commands:

sudo unzip -XK matlab.zip -d matlab_install
cd matlab_install
sudo su 
xhost +SI:localuser:root 
sudo ./install

This mehod I´ve used for installing Matlab R2024b on Debian 12.

Matlab R2025b should support Debian 13 see here: https://de.mathworks.com/support/requirements/matlab-linux.html

Since no other older Matlab Version supports Debian 13 I had only the choice for Matlab R2025b.

The installation was fine, but when I lunch it from terminal via this command:

matlab

it opens the matlab programm like a normal start (left at the buttom of the matlab programm it says initializing...), but in a sudden it stops and printing this message:

Unable to communicate with required MathWorks services (error 5201)
For help with this issue, contact support:
https://www.mathworks.com/support/contact_us.html
Unable to launch MVM server: License Error: Licensing shutdown

When I search for an activation file like in the installation folder there isn´t anyone in:

/usr/local/MATLAB/R2025b/bin/glnxa64

Has somebody managed to run matlab on Debian 13?

Thank you very much for you help in forward.

[Star Strider]

As the error message suggested:

For help with this issue, contact support:

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

For what it's worth, check for a typo in:

/urs/local/MATLAB/R2025b/bin/glnxa64

since it should probably instead be:

/usr/local/MATLAB/R2025b/bin/glnxa64

I am sure you searched the correct directory, however if you entered that path as written here, Linux likely would have thrown an error. In any event, it would not have found the file.

.

[Dan Cornelius Maxim]

@Star Strider thank you very much for your answer.

I've updated the question without this typo "usr" in the path for matlab activation.

The link in the error message get me to the matlab support page. I don't know if it has something to do with Debian 13. Because on Debian 12 Matlab R2025b just works.

Answer 1

[Ivy]

Hi Dan,

Compatibility-wise, R2025b should work on Debian 13 and I have also tested it on my end before this comment.

The error you saw (5201) is related to the MathWorks Service Host, which is a separate process, you shouldn't have to reinstall MATLAB to troubleshoot.

Can you try reinstall the MathWorks Service Host using the article below, make sure to try both the Manual and the Re-installer method:

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/1815365

If reinstalling the MathWorks Service Host does not resolve the issue, please scroll to the end of the article and find out how to collect the Service Host logs, you can then create a ticket and share the logs with the support team.

[Dan Cornelius Maxim]

Thank you very much Ive for the answer and sending this link (https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/1815365).

I´ve done the reinstall and the uninstall of MathWorksServiceHost as in the description.

% Reinstall MathWorksServiceHost (LINUX)
wget https://www.mathworks.com/MathWorksServiceHost/glnxa64/ReinstallMathWorksServiceHost
chmod +x ReinstallMathWorksServiceHost
sudo ./ReinstallMathWorksServiceHost -mode silent

% Uninstall MathWorksServiceHost (LINUX) (end the MathWorksServiceHost process and delete its installation
% directories)
killall MATLAB MathWorksServiceHost 
rm -rf ~/.MathWorks/ServiceHost ~/.MATLABConnector

% start matlab in terminal
matlab

Finally it works! Big thanks again.