Why do I receive the error "The application encountered an unexpected error and needs to close. You may want to try re-installing your product(s)," at 0% when installing MATLAB?

When installing MATLAB I get the error above at 0% in the installer. The error additionally suggest looking at the installation log. The installation log has the following error:

java.lang.NullPointerException

    at com.mathworks.install.ComponentSizeAggregator.add(ComponentSizeAggregator.java:13)

    at com.mathworks.install.ProductInstallerImpl.downloadProducts(ProductInstallerImpl.java:143)

    at com.mathworks.install.ProductInstallerImpl.installProducts(ProductInstallerImpl.java:81)

    at com.mathworks.install.InstallerImpl.install(InstallerImpl.java:113)

    at com.mathworks.installwizard.model.InstallTask.execute(InstallTask.java:46)

    at com.mathworks.installwizard.model.AbstractBackgroundTask.execute(AbstractBackgroundTask.java:38)

    at com.mathworks.installwizard.model.AbstractTask.call(AbstractTask.java:74)

    at com.mathworks.installwizard.model.AbstractTask.call(AbstractTask.java:24)

    at com.mathworks.wizard.worker.WorkerImpl.doInBackground(WorkerImpl.java:24)

    at javax.swing.SwingWorker$1.call(SwingWorker.java:296)

    at java.util.concurrent.FutureTask.run(FutureTask.java:262)

    at javax.swing.SwingWorker.run(SwingWorker.java:335)

    at java.util.concurrent.ThreadPoolExecutor.runWorker(ThreadPoolExecutor.java:1145)

    at java.util.concurrent.ThreadPoolExecutor$Worker.run(ThreadPoolExecutor.java:615)

    at java.lang.Thread.run(Thread.java:745)

Error: The application encountered an unexpected error and needs to close.  You may want to try re-installing your product(s).  More information can be found at /var/folders/4l/_2c57spd59vcxrz3kb8t3s600000gn/T/mathworks_username.log

Answer 1

[MathWorks Support Team]

The issue is likely related to old cached files in the MathWorks folder in Downloads.  Removing this folder will allow the installation to continue.

[Steven Lord]

I recommend you contact Technical Support directly using the Contact Us link in the upper-right corner of this page. They can work with you to determine why you're still experiencing this problem and how to correct or avoid it.