Matlab installer for R2026a under Linux fails at Duo authentication

I'm trying to install Matlab R2026a under Almalinux 10. I run the "install" script, and enter my university e-mail address. It redirects to our university's single-sign-on page, where I enter my password, and then get passed to Duo for 2-factor authentication. The Duo page pops up briefly and then disappears before I can authenticate. There's no other output from the install script, which seems hung at this point. Running MathworksProductInstaller by hand, I see the same symptoms. There are no error messages.

[Torsten]

Answer from AI:

The Duo 2FA page immediately disappearing is a known issue caused by compatibility conflicts between the Linux desktop environment (Polkit or webkit) and the MathWorks installer/authorizer. To bypass the crash, use your keyboard instead of the mouse during the login prompts, or use the MATLAB Package Manager (MPM) to bypass the GUI entirely. [1, 2, 3]

Option 1: Use the Keyboard Only

Many users on MATLAB Central confirm that clicking with the mouse on the initial MathWorks login/2FA window causes it to crash immediately. [1]

• Launch the ./install script.
• When the login screen appears, do not click on any text fields or buttons with your mouse.
• Use your Tab key to navigate between fields, and type your credentials manually.
• When Duo prompts you, use the keyboard to type your passcode or approve the push notification. [1, 2]

Option 2: Use the MATLAB Package Manager (CLI)

If the graphical installer continues to fail, you can use the command-line interface to complete the process without a browser.

• Navigate to the official MathWorks MATLAB Package Manager Repository for instructions on downloading the CLI installer.
• Run the command line installer.
• Once installed, you can manually activate your license using the offline license file or terminal activation commands. [1, 2]

Option 3: Contact MathWorks Support

If the issue continues to persist across all installation methods, it may require a direct patch from MathWorks. Reach out to their MathWorks Installation and Licensing Support for direct assistance.

[Bryan]

Methods 1, 2, and 3 assume that I've already installed matlab. I haven't. The problem occurs while trying to install matlab.

Regarding the first suggestion, I had already tried authenticating with the system's web browser, hoping that the install process would see that I had authenticated. Alas, it does not. According to other comments I've seen about problems with Duo when installing matlab, it seems the installer uses its own internal version of chrome. Is there a way to make the installer use the system-installed chrome (or other browser) during installation instead?

[Torsten]

I changed the comment several times. I think the listed options from above now don't assume that MATLAB is already installed.

My question to google AI was:

What to do if the duo authentification page pops up and disappears immediately in matlab with Linux OS during installation ?

If you have a more precise formulation, you can try.

If you don't succeed, try option 3 and/or contact your university IT department.

[Bryan]

I see that the "AI" suggestions in the earlier reply are changing. They still seem useless. I'll try asking elsewhere.

[Torsten]

If you find a remedy, it would be nice if you could post the solution. This way, other users with the same problem can save time.

[dpb]

@Bryan undoubtedly the quickest way for such things is to pick up the phone and call MathWorks support -- they support install/startup issues. @Torsten's correct that if it is a generically applicable cure for the disease, posting it would be beneficial to the community.

Answer 1

[Ivy]

As Ishan has mentioned, you could use MPM to get around to install MATLAB. However, most likely you will still run into the same issue when launching MATLAB and signing in.

What you can try: launch the install > when prompted for the email, put in your email > your university's SSO portal should pop up, don't log in, close this SSO window > you should be prompted to use One Time Passcode > Yes, use OTP > proceed with the installation.

After getting MATLAB installed and everything, you will need to do this one more time when launching MATLAB the first time.

The root cause? My best guess is that the SSO portal has a version of Chromium that isn't compatible with MATLAB's. Also, Alma 10 is equivalent to RHEL 10 which is not supported (yet, perchance), but I don't think this is the actual issue but rather the SSO's Chromium version. Is there any crash dump? You can send it to MathWorks via the SegV report form if there is a Crash Reporter after the crash (but it sounds like there is not, from your description, whelp).

Answer 2

[Ishan]

MATLAB R2026a supports Linux installation using the interactive installer. If the installer hangs during the sign-in or authentication flow and the Duo authentication dialog closes unexpectedly, this may indicate an issue specific to the authentication environment, identity provider configuration, or local system configuration rather than the MATLAB installation workflow itself.

As a workaround, you may consider installing MATLAB using the MATLAB Package Manager (MPM), which provides a command-line installation workflow for Linux systems. After installation, licensing and activation can be completed separately.

If the issue persists, I would recommend contacting MathWorks Installation and Licensing Support, as they can assist with installer authentication issues and collect diagnostic information from the affected system.

Documentation:

Download and Install MATLAB - MATLAB & Simulink

Answer 3

[Bryan]

Thanks for suggesting the one-time passcode. That finally allows me to complete the installation.