Octave Gui Blank Command Window

Blank octave command window :( This is one of those annoying errors where part of the functionality is crippled, and you’re likely going to spend hours hunting down a fix, or applying updates, un-install, re-install, “did you try restarting it,” downgrade to previous version, upgrade to the next version, google it. Maybe if you restart if for the 20th time, and look at it just the right way it will work.

The Problem

After upgrading Octave from 4.0.0 to 4.2.1 on Ubuntu 16.04. The Octave command window went blank. I could still type in commands, and have it show in command history, but the command window itself wouldn’t show what was happening.

Initially I tried changing some settings/ reset some defaults. Searched for similar issues and solutions. purged and re-installed octave (not a fix).

Some results I found suggested its a configuration problem between opengl and qt. I’m guessing the issue is something to do with old settings or name changes not being updated from the previous versions qt-settings file in Octave’s config.

The Fix

Delete the qt-settings or entire octave config folder, then octave will generate a new config and present you with a welcome screen the next time its opened.

Remove octave config folder.

rm -r /home/$USER/.config/octave

And command window is back.