Why do I receive Error 5202 - Unable to access services required to run MATLAB?

When I try launch to MATLAB, I get the following error:

Unable to access services required to run MATLAB (error 5202).

How do I resolve this?

Answer 1

[MathWorks Support Team]

This error indicates that MATLAB has encountered a licensing issue. To resolve this error, try these possible solutions:

Check System Requirements

This error is known to happen on macOS Big Sur 11 and older versions of macOS.

If you get this error after installing MATLAB on macOS, please confirm that your operating system meets our system requirements first.

MATLAB System Requirements

Otherwise, please follow the steps below to resolve this issue:

Restart MATLAB 

If MATLAB is running, shut it down and restart it to see if that resolves the issue.

Restart the MathWorks Service Host/Computer

The MathWorks Service Host is a critical required part of the MathWorks software installed on your machine. Try resolving the issue by restarting your computer. 

1. Shut down MATLAB if it is still running. 
2. Restart your computer. 
3. Start MATLAB to see if the issue is resolved. 

Reinstall the MathWorks Service Host 

If the previous possible solutions do not resolve your issue, try reinstalling the MathWorks Service Host. Follow the instructions in the following article.

How do I uninstall and reinstall the MathWorks Service Host? 

Allow MATLAB and the MathWorks Service Host on antivirus, security software, VPNs, or proxy servers 

If you have any antivirus, security software, VPNs, or proxy servers, try adding an exception to unblock the MathWorks Service Host executable. The name of the executable varies by operating system, as shown below. 

Windows 

MathWorksServiceHost.exe 

macOS 

MathWorksServiceHost.app 

Linux 

MathWorksServiceHost 

Check for operating system updates 

Check your operating system for updates, and then download and install those updates.  

(macOS only) Remove and re-add Full Disk Access for MATLAB 

If MATLAB has Full Disk Access, remove its Full Disk Access permissions and restart MATLAB. If this does not resolve the issue, you may grant MATLAB Full Disk Access again to see if this resolves the issue. 

Contact support 

If all other possible solutions do not resolve your issue, contact support. 

Include your MathWorks Service Host log files in the support case. To locate these files, see Where are the Installation, Activation, & Service Host log files located for MATLAB?