undefined symbol xcb_shm_id when trying to startup MatLab

When trying to start up MatLab, I get

> ./bin/matlab

MATLAB is selecting SOFTWARE rendering.

/home/pblase/.MathWorks/ServiceHost/clr-df9a0cbb6bd34e079ef626671d1a7b7c/_tmp_MSHI_5363-9225-767d-e56f/mci/_tempinstaller_glnxa64/bin/glnxa64/InstallMathWorksServiceHost: symbol lookup error: /usr/lib64/libcairo.so.2: undefined symbol: xcb_shm_id

/home/pblase/.MathWorks/ServiceHost/clr-df9a0cbb6bd34e079ef626671d1a7b7c/_tmp_MSHI_5363-9225-767d-e56f/mci/_tempinstaller_glnxa64/bin/glnxa64/InstallMathWorksServiceHost: symbol lookup error: /usr/lib64/libcairo.so.2: undefined symbol: xcb_shm_id

Unexpected exception: 'N7mwboost10wrapexceptINS_16exception_detail39current_exception_std_exception_wrapperISt13runtime_errorEEEE: Error loading /home/pblase/matlab/bin/glnxa64/matlab_startup_plugins/matlab_graphics_ui/mwuixloader.so. /usr/lib64/libXt.so.6: undefined symbol: SmcModifyCallbacks: Success: Success' in createMVMAndCallParser phase 'Creating local MVM'

[dpb]

Mathworks supports install/startup issues; contact them directly. Monday is, however, a US holiday if are in US...

[Paul]

I have. Nothing yet.

[dpb]

Won't be until tomorrow and if used email, then it may be another day or so. Pick up the phone...

[Aniket]

Hi @Paul, can you please share the OS details and the MATLAB version you are using to help reproduce the issue. Also make sure that 'libpangocairo' package is installed in your OS.

[Ibrahim]

Whilst I may not be the OP, I am currently following the thread over on https://community.clearlinux.org/t/matlab-installation/9951/4 and got myself a trial version

OS: Clear Linux OS

Version: 42280

Matlab version: R2024a

Bundle devpkg-pango is added, please find gist with complete list of files available for easy ctrl+f https://gist.github.com/K1ngfish3r/e750cc7e05b2e9b24848d987697a395e

Trying to install following the instructions in the .pdf I come across this error:

i@clr~/Downloads/Matlab $ xhost +SI:localuser:root
localuser:root being added to access control list
i@clr~/Downloads/Matlab $ sudo -H ./install
Password: 
terminate called after throwing an instance of 'std::runtime_error'
  what():  Failed to launch web window with error: Unable to launch the MATLABWindow application. The exit code was: 127
Aborted
i@clr~/Downloads/Matlab $

Followed the arch wiki post here to try and solve this: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/MATLAB#Unable_to_launch_the_MATLABWindow_application and ran into this

i@clr~/Downloads/Matlab $ ./bin/glnxa64/MATLABWindow
./bin/glnxa64/MATLABWindow: symbol lookup error: /usr/lib64/libcairo.so.2: undefined symbol: xcb_shm_id

[Paul]

That's precisely what I'm getting.

[Paul]

The OS is ClearLinux - https://www.clearlinux.org/ - Build 42280 (latest)

MatLab version is R2024a

[Paul]

I downloaded and installed R2021a, and it works so far. So it's something changed in 2024a.

Answer 1

[Ibrahim]

got it working, MATLABWindow is apparently pulling it's own libX11.so instead of the system's, even though they're the same version.

to fix, remove it from ./bin/glnxa64/

i@clr~ $ cd /usr/local/MATLAB/R2024a/bin/glnxa64/ /*should be your install location */
i@clr/usr/local/MATLAB/R2024a/bin/glnxa64 $ sudo mkdir share
i@clr/usr/local/MATLAB/R2024a/bin/glnxa64 $ sudo mv libX11.* ./share/

then running matlab works as normal

For MATLAB dev peoples, why doesn't the matlab pull libX11 from the system? they both are libX11.so.6.4.0

[Paul]

Thanks!

Answer 2

[Paul]

Ah, thanks. It works - almost. I get the product activation screen, but it ignores the keyboard! I can't enter the login data.

I notice that there's "libX11-xcb.so.1" and some associated files in .../glnxa64 also. Should I move them too?

[Paul]

Huh? It just started working. I guess it needed something from online.

[Ibrahim]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

my one needed some "convincing", i just tapped the text box a couple of times

[dpb]

@Paul, @Ibrahim re: "For MATLAB dev peoples, why doesn't the matlab pull libX11 from the system?"

The Answers forum is not official Mathworks support; there's no guarantee anybody from the organization will see this thread. I would strongly recommend submitting an official bug/enhancement report over the issue

[Paul]

It seems to depend on what I clicked last. If I clicked on Firefox, which I also have open, Matlab sees the keyboard.

[Ibrahim]

if you stilll have that R2021a install kicking around try doing a `diff` between the libs used in R2024 and R2021

ldd /usr/local/MATLAB/R2024a/bin/glnxa64/MATLABWindow > r2024.txt
ldd /usr/local/MATLAB/R2021a/bin/glnxa64/MATLABWindow > r2021.txt
diff r2024.txt r2021.txt

Find any libs that are different (location-wise) and mv them elsewhere. This could remedy the text input issue

This obviously hinges on the fact that R2021a is working well (I have no idea, Im just a gamer)