matlab says initializing when I start it

an empty matlab says initializing when I start it.

It remains with that message.

What can cause that? A license issue.

I don't need the fix for it, just the potential causes of it.

[Adam Danz]

Lots of info available on this

• https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/17-why-does-matlab-take-a-long-time-to-start
• https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/311539-ridiculously-long-matlab-starting-time
• https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/106727-matlab-requires-15-minutes-to-start-up
• https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/445456-matlab-takes-forever-to-open
• etc...

If you have a startup.m file, you can look in there to see if something is slowing down initialization but beyond that, it's difficult to troubleshoot because of not having access to much of the startup process.

Answer 1

[Soham Chakraborty]

If the loading status states 'Initializing' or 'Busy' for a long time, it could be because of the below reasons:

1. Due to licensing issue

2. Due to Non-licensing issue

Licensing issue:

On your windows machine, attempt to start MATLAB using the “-c” startup flag through the command prompt/terminal window. Syntax :

"$MATLAB\bin\win64\MATLAB.exe" -c <full_path_to_license_file or port@host>

If this resolves the issue, then a licensing problem is the root cause.

Non-licensing issue:

1. Often a corrupt preferences directory can prevent MATLAB from starting correctly. Please attempt to recreate the MATLAB preferences directory using the following link: https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/99625

2. Any anti-virus application working in the background, could slow down MATLAB. Please try disabling the “active scan’ option for MATLAB directories.

3. Such issues may also arise saving a file with invalid filename ( < ,> ,” , |, : )

4. MATLAB might be attempting to access files from a sluggish network

5. Source control Integration may affect startup performance

a. In the MATLAB toolstrip, go to ‘Home’ -> ‘Environment’ -> ‘Preference’

b. Select ‘MATLAB -> General -> Source Control’

c. Select “None” and apply the changes.

6. Preference settings in MATLAB may negatively affect startup performance.

a. In the MATLAB toolstrip, go to ‘Home’ -> ‘Environment’ -> ‘Preference’

b. Select ‘MATLAB -> General”

c. Enable the “Enable toolbox path cache” option and apply changes.

[Adam Danz]

+1 nice summary!

See fuller explanation:

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