Why does MATLAB start with a blank grey window when using a Compiz or Beryl window manager?

Starting MATLAB on a Linux machine opens just an empty grey window. I cannot see any MATLAB windows, but MATLAB appears to work fine. If I type following command:

doc

the help window pops up, but it is still grey. But, if I use the -nojvm option, MATLAB works normal. Also, If I use SSH for remote access with X11 tunneling, MATLAB works normal and I can see all the windows.

I am using Xgl / Compiz as a window manager.

Answer 1

[MathWorks Support Team]

This error is a bug with Java applications when desktop effects are enabled. For more information about this bug, refer to Sun's bug reports here:

https://bugs.java.com/?bug_id=6509038

Generally to resolve this issue you will need to disable desktop effects for MATLAB to function normally. To do so:

Fedora family:

Click the System menu, go to Preferences to Look & Feel and select Desktop Effects. Set Desktop effects to None.

Debian family:

Click the System menu, go to Preferences, and select Appearance. Go to the Visual Effects tab. Set Desktop effects to None.

It may also be possible to display the MATLAB desktop with these effects enabled. For information on how to enable the MATLAB desktop with desktop effects enabled, please see below.

NOTE: The methods below are not officially supported as other side effects may be caused by changing these settings.

To enable the MATLAB desktop with desktop effects enabled, you can set the following environment variable:

AWT_TOOLKIT=MToolkit

Alternatively you may try installing Java JRE 1.6 on the machine and point MATLAB to that JRE. See the related solution: "How do I change the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) that MATLAB is using? " for more information about using MATLAB with a different Java.

Answer 2

[Benedict Schlüter]

export _JAVA_AWT_WM_NONREPARENTING=1 worked for me. I am using Arch-Linux with sway

Answer 3

[Christophe Pouillot]

In my case where I run MATLAB on WSL, maximizing the x11 window solves the issue.