Where are the Installation, Activation, & Service Host log files located for MATLAB?

I would like to know where MathWorks's installation, activation, and/or Service Host log files are located to troubleshoot potential errors with MATLAB.

Answer 1

[MathWorks Support Team]

During the installation, activation, and startup of MATLAB or other MathWorks Products, the MathWorks Installer Activation Client, or MATLAB creates a log file that may be used to obtain information on the installation, activation, or startup processes. See each section for where each log is located.

Installation logs

Windows

The installation logs are in the following folder with the name "mathworks_%username%.log":

C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Temp

If you are unsure how to open this folder, follow these directions:

1. Hold the "Windows" key and press the "r" key
2. Copy and paste the following into the Run window: %temp%\mathworks_%username%.log
3. Press enter on your keyboard.

Linux

The installation logs are in the following folder with the name "mathworks_$USER.log":

/tmp

macOS

Follow these steps to retrieve the installer log file on a Mac:

1. Log in as the user who ran the installer.
2. Open Spotlight Search by clicking the magnifying glass in the top right of your screen.
3. Type in "Terminal" and then open the first result, which should be the Terminal application.
4. Copy and paste the following command, and then press enter/return on your keyboard. Do not edit the command, run it exactly how it appears below:

cp $TMPDIR/mathworks_$USER.log ~/Desktop

This will create a copy of the needed log file on the desktop. If the command fails, this means the installer log file is not being created. This could indicate that the installer is not starting at all, and is thus not able to write the log file.

Forcing the creation of the installation log file in a specific location

If the installer is not creating a log file, then you may need to create your own. You can run the installer in command prompt or terminal with a flag to force a log file to be created. You could use a command like the following to do this:

Windows

/full/path/to/setup.exe -outputfile "C:\path\to\logfile.log"

Linux/macOS

./install -outputfile /path/to/logfile.log

Service Host logs

There may be several Service Host log files in the folder where are located. The most recently created one (the one with the largest number in its name) is your most recent log file and will help you determine the issues are running into.

Windows

The Service Host logs are in the following folder:

C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\MathWorks\ServiceHost\logs

If you are unsure how to open this folder, follow these directions:

1. Hold the "Windows" key and press the "r" key.
2. Copy and paste the following into the Run window: C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\MathWorks\ServiceHost\logs
3. Press enter on your keyboard.
4. This will open the folder with the log files.

Linux

The Service Host logs are in the following folder:

/home/$USER/.MathWorks/ServiceHost/logs

macOS

Follow these steps to retrieve the Service Host log file:

1. Open Finder
2. In the top left corner of your screen, you should see buttons such as "File, Edit, View". Select "Go".
3. Select the second-to-last option "Go to Folder..."
4. Type in the following: ~/Library/Application Support/MathWorks/ServiceHost/logs
5. Press enter/return on your keyboard.
6. This will open the folder with the log files.

Activation logs

Windows

The activation logs are in the following folder with the name "aws_%username%.log":

C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Temp

If you are unsure how to open this folder, follow these directions:

1. Hold the "Windows" key and press the "r" key
2. Copy and paste the following into the Run window: %temp%\aws_%username%.log
3. Press enter on your keyboard.

Linux

The activation logs are in the following folder with the name aws_$USER.log":

/tmp

macOS

Follow these steps to retrieve the installer log file on a Mac:

1. Log in as the user who ran the installer.
2. Open Spotlight Search by clicking the magnifying glass in the top right of your screen.
3. Type in "Terminal" and then open the first result, which should be the Terminal application.
4. Copy and paste the following command, and then press enter/return on your keyboard. Do not edit the command, run it exactly how it appears below:

cp $TMPDIR/aws_$USER.log ~/Desktop

This will create a copy of the needed log file on the desktop. If the command fails, this means the activation log file is not being created. This could indicate that the activation client is not starting at all, and is thus not able to write the log file.

[ck shen]

You are right. Thanks a lot.

[Ashrit Swain]

My system is Mac OS Ventura 13.2. When I copy and paste the given command for Mac OS in terminal, it says no such file or directory.

[Walter Roberson]

@Ashrit Swain

I am not clear as to whether you were doing

!ls ~/Library/'Application Support'/MathWorks/ServiceHost/logs

or

!ls $TMPDIR/aws_$USER.log

?

[Ashrit Swain]

@Walter Roberson I have not used any of the above command lines.

[Walter Roberson]

Which command did you copy and paste?

Answer 2

[Ali Awais Farhat]

I was using the student version and the MATLAB was activated on two machines. I deactivated one and tried installing again. And it worked.

[Jakkrich Srithongchai]

Can it switch to using between 2 machine ?

[Walter Roberson]

Student license can only be activated on one machine at a time, and there is a limit of about 4 times per year that they can be switched between machines. If you need to regularly run a student license on more than one machine then your options are:

1. use MATLAB Online instead; or
2. buy more than one license; or
3. activate on only one machine that you own, and when you are away from it, use a program such as Go To My Pc, or Teamviewer, to connect to the one machine remotely; or
4. if you are at a university that is providing licenses to students under the Total Academic Headcount (TAH) license, then those licenses are considered Academic licenses and are authorized to be activated on two machines at the same time

Answer 3

[MDSAIF ALAM]

I'm using a free trial but don't insrall why?

[Walter Roberson]

Please contact Mathworks for free installation support.

Answer 4

[aaron guido mendoza choquehuanca]

aprobar

Answer 5

[Shoumei]

It's easy to open temp directory with folliwing command.

winopen(tempdir)

[Christina Iduma-Adeleke]

still need help in installing the mathworks in my windows labtop,

thank you

[Colin Fraser]

Use the instructions above and send us a log file. We can assist you further with this information.

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

-Colin Fraser

Answer 6

[muhammad muar]

thanks

[Christina Iduma-Adeleke]

i need help please in installing the mathlab, it keeps asking for license or activation number, where can I find that? thank you

[Walter Roberson]

If you purchased MATLAB yourself, then Mathworks would have sent you your license number or activation key, probably through email.

If you are using a license provided by a university or company, they will have to provide the license number or activation key to you.

Answer 7

[Jenniffer Tatiana Gómez Joya]

Estoy intentando instalar pero me aparece un problema que dice error de conexion, sin embargo ya desabilite el antivirus y revise mi Proxy. aun así no me ha sido posible instalar el programa. Gracias

[Colin Fraser]

If you are still experiencing this issue, please create a service request below.

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

-Colin Fraser

Answer 8

[Carlos David Albarracin]

[zainib bilal]

this is the error occuring

[Colin Fraser]

If you are still experiencing this issue, please create a service request below.

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

-Colin Fraser

[Frank TALA]

I had the same error. I resolved it by launching the .exe from a usb drive. Make sure to move all the requirefiles on the usb drive

Answer 9

[Ralph Wilbanks]

?

[Ralph Wilbanks]

didn't want to go here

[Walter Roberson]

Can you explain more?

Answer 10

[sania javed]

installer files are located in D drive. i got the error message "application could not connect to the mathworks"

please guide me

Answer 11

[Bekzod Maxmarasulov]

Hello can you say my activation key please

[Rajesh Kontham]

Sorry. MATLAB license if quite costly. Can't share.

Answer 12

[Rani Asna]

Rani@1999

[Rajesh Kontham]

?? Were you interested in asking some time?

Answer 13

[Anteneh Kasa]

i want to applied the Matlab at the university for easily access informations to work

[Walter Roberson]

The volunteers who answer questions here are not able to issue licenses. You will need to purchase a licenses from Mathworks (or a distributor), or arrange a license through your university.

Answer 14

[Abdihakiin Mohamed Abukar]

I'm Engineering Student , I Need To Vefiry This Account .

[Walter Roberson]

If you purchased MATLAB yourself, then Mathworks would have sent you your license number or activation key, probably through email. In this case contact Mathworks Support for assistance.

If you are using a license provided by a university or company, they will have to provide the license number or activation key to you.

The volunteers who answer questions here do not have access to the license database, so we cannot assist you with checking licenses.

Answer 15

[Anteneh Kasa]

On my android phone

[Walter Roberson]

MATLAB does not run on Android

Answer 16

[carlos manitio]

tuve problemas para poder instalar el programa devido a problemas de conexion a internet pero intente acerlos de bueno y ya no me deja volver a internarlo me salio un codigo de error ..

[Abdelghani]

FOR MY STUDY

Answer 17

[Brahimi]

how i can start the matlab i cant find it :/