Unable to launch MVM server: Unexpected Server Shutdown

In am running Matlab 2025b on RockyLinux 8.9 which is RHEL compatible, and within the support range for this Matlab version.

...matlab/R2025b/bin/matlab -v -nosplash -nodesktop -nodisplay -logfile ./matlab.log -nojvm -c 27000@...

The only output I get is

Unable to launch MVM server: Unexpected Server Shutdown

and then after a few seconds I am back in command line.

Licensing is not an issue as I am running older Matlab versions on the same system in the same way and all is fine, as well as I'm running Matlab 2025b on other platforms the same way and all is also fine.

The whole matlab/R2025b/ folder lives on a remote drive mounted via NFS. Older Matlab versions are also fine launched the same way.

There is no output that could help identify what is missing/failing.

I have seen other issues similar to this but they mostly deal with unsupported OS versions like Fedora or advise to reinstall/relaunch manually the MathWorksHost process, or even download its installer and then reinstall, none of which made any difference.

What else can I try or check to investigate/fix this issue?

Answer 1

[Adarsh]

Hi @SA,

Based on the behavior described, this looks most likely related to missing system dependencies rather than a licensing or OS support issue. MATLAB R2025b is supported on Rocky Linux 8.9, and the fact that older releases work on the same system helps narrow the cause.

On minimal or customized Linux installations, MATLAB can exit early with the “Unable to launch MVM server: Unexpected Server Shutdown” message if required libraries are not present. I recommend verifying that all required Linux dependencies for MATLAB R2025b are installed.

You can refer to the following MATLAB Answers post, which lists the dependencies needed for minimal or core Linux installations:

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/2018166-what-dependencies-are-needed-to-install-matlab-on-minimal-or-core-linux-installations

The above MATLAB Answers link contains a github link for R2024b make sure you go to the page for R2025b version.

There is also a similar MATLAB Answers discussion where somewhat similar error is encountered:

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/2180770-why-do-i-get-the-warning-unable-to-launch-mvm-server-license-error-licensing-shutdown-when-i-try

I hope this helps!