Error using filterDesigner (line 85) Value must be a handle. macOS R2025b

>> filterDesigner

Error using filterDesigner (line 85)

Value must be a handle.

----

>> ver

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MATLAB Version: 25.2.0.2998904 (R2025b)

MATLAB License Number: STUDENT

Operating System: macOS Version: 26.0.1 Build: 25A362

Java Version: Java 11.0.25+9-LTS with Amazon.com Inc. OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM mixed mode

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MATLAB Version 25.2 (R2025b)

Simulink Version 25.2 (R2025b)

Control System Toolbox Version 25.2 (R2025b)

Curve Fitting Toolbox Version 25.2 (R2025b)

DSP System Toolbox Version 25.2 (R2025b)

Global Optimization Toolbox Version 25.2 (R2025b)

Image Processing Toolbox Version 25.2 (R2025b)

Instrument Control Toolbox Version 25.2 (R2025b)

Optimization Toolbox Version 25.2 (R2025b)

Parallel Computing Toolbox Version 25.2 (R2025b)

Signal Processing Toolbox Version 25.2 (R2025b)

Simulink Control Design Version 25.2 (R2025b)

Simulink Design Optimization Version 25.2 (R2025b)

Statistics and Machine Learning Toolbox Version 25.2 (R2025b)

Symbolic Math Toolbox Version 25.2 (R2025b)

---

>> which filterDesigner -all

/Applications/MATLAB_R2025b.app/toolbox/signal/sigtools/filterDesigner.m

---

>> status = license('test', 'Signal_Toolbox')

status =

1

---

These were the tests performed and checks, in addition:

• reinstall the Signal Processing Toolbox and the DSP System Toolbox - Don't work
• I did a clean install of the complete Matlab

Even after all these tests and procedures I still get the error:

>> filterDesigner

Error using filterDesigner (line 85)

Value must be a handle.

How do I solve this problem??

[Mathieu NOE]

hello

can you share the code ?

[Rafael]

I don't have a code, it's just calling the Filter Designer app from the Signal Processing Toolbox, through the filterDesigner command, or even via the interface, the error is the same:

>> filterDesigner

Error using filterDesigner (line 85)

Value must be a handle.

This the reference page of Filter Designer

https://www.mathworks.com/help/signal/ug/introduction-to-filter-designer.html

[Mathieu NOE]

It may be time now to call the technical support

Contact Technical Support - MATLAB & Simulink

[Rafael]

I am trying to submit a support request, but when I click to open the support request in the default interface on the home tab, a popup window opens and asks me to log in again, and it gets stuck in this infinite loop. I enter my email and password, it closes and opens the same window again, and I can’t even submit the support request!!! The error remains the same even after the latest update that supposedly fixed the bugs.

I no longer know what to do. This is already absurd, and I’m not the only one complaining about this issue, yet there’s still no solution.

Is there any other way to open a support ticket that doesn’t rely on the application interface??

Answer 1

[Steven Lord]

Can you show us the output of these commands?

which -all sigtools.fdatool

/MATLAB/toolbox/signal/sigtools/@sigtools/@fdatool/fdatool.m  % sigtools.fdatool constructor

which -all fdatool

/MATLAB/toolbox/signal/sigtools/fdatool.m

I suspect you've installed something that would take precedence over one of those two functions.

[Rafael]

Of course, this was the result, apparently everything was correct, right?

>> which -all sigtools.fdatool

/Applications/MATLAB_R2025b.app/toolbox/signal/sigtools/@sigtools/@fdatool/fdatool.m % sigtools.fdatool constructor

>> which -all fdatool

/Applications/MATLAB_R2025b.app/toolbox/signal/sigtools/fdatool.m

Answer 2

[Rafael]

A new update came out "MATLAB Version: 25.2.0.3150157 (R2025b) Update 4" and the error is still exactly the same

>> filterDesigner

Error using filterDesigner (line 85)

Value must be a handle.

It's been 4 months since I opened a support ticket and there's still been no response so far.....

A complete disregard for the user

[Steven Lord]

Did you contact Technical Support directly using this link? If so can you post the number of your service request? I'll reach out to the Technical Support management team to determine what happened with your service request.

[Rafael]

yes, i did.

After I submitted the service request, I received this email:

"The following customer has requested technical support or service via The MathWorks Web site.

We are forwarding this request to the appropriate distributor for assistance. Please reply directly to the customer.

We are also providing a copy of the request to the customer for their records. If the customer requires additional assistance, we ask that they contact the distributor directly."

In this email, I didn’t receive any tracking code for the service request. The request was forwarded to the appropriate distributor for assistance.

I’m still waiting, as I haven’t received any further updates.

Answer 3

[Vipresh Gangwal]

I would also sugggest that you try restoring your default path

Try resetting the MATLAB path and refreshing the toolbox cache:

restoredefaultpath; rehash toolboxcache

Note that this will reset your path to the default path - How will running the "restoredefaultpath" and "savepath" commands affect my custom paths and how do I bac... - MATLAB Answers - MATLAB Central

also, double check if you have anything in your startup.m file.

[Rafael]

I’ve already tried all of these steps. I also performed a completely clean installation from scratch, including more than one different version, and nothing resolved the issue. I’ve seen other threads reporting the same problem. I’m frustrated because I’ve done everything that has been recommended and it still doesn’t work.

Even if the answer were negative—such as “It doesn’t work on macOS,” or “It doesn’t work due to reason X”—that would be fine. What bothers me is not knowing the cause and not receiving any response.

[Walter Roberson]

filterDesigner generally works in R2025b on MacOS Intel.

filterDesigner works in R2026a Pre-release on MacOS Silicon

Unfortunately, I have some administrative issues to deal with before I can activate R2025b on MacOS Silicon, so I cannot test that yet.

[Rafael]

In version 2025b on macOS Silicon (Apple M3 Pro) with Tahoe 26.3 (25D125), it really doesn’t work. I’m using the online version to access Filter Designer, but this disrupts my workflow. Unfortunately, I don’t have access to the R2026a pre-release. My hope is that this error has been fixed in R2026a and that it will be released soon—or that I’ll receive an invitation to use the pre-release so I can test this specific Filter Designer tool.

[Steven Lord]

The Prerelease of release R2026a is available now. You don't need a special invitation to use it as long as you're current on your software maintenance (as per question 3 in the Prerelease FAQ.) Depending on your company's or educational institution's policies you may need to get your IT staff or whoever maintains your licenses to install it.