MATLAB: Do I get a java.lang.OutOfMemoryError exception when resizing the figure

Whenever I try to increase the size of my figure, the figure contents do not increase accordingly, and I get the following error. Why is this happening?

Exception in thread "AWT-EventQueue-0" java.lang.OutOfMemoryError: Java heap space at java.awt.image.DataBufferInt.<init>(Unknown Source) at java.awt.image.Raster.createPackedRaster(Unknown Source) at java.awt.image.DirectColorModel.createCompatibleWritableRaster(Unknown Source) at java.awt.GraphicsConfiguration.createCompatibleImage(Unknown Source) at java.awt.GraphicsConfiguration.createCompatibleImage(Unknown Source) at sun.awt.image.SunVolatileImage.getBackupImage(Unknown Source) at sun.awt.image.VolatileSurfaceManager.getBackupSurface(Unknown Source) at sun.awt.image.VolatileSurfaceManager.initialize(Unknown Source) at sun.awt.image.SunVolatileImage.<init>(Unknown Source) at sun.awt.image.SunVolatileImage.<init>(Unknown Source) at java.awt.GraphicsConfiguration.createCompatibleVolatileImage(Unknown Source) at java.awt.GraphicsConfiguration.createCompatibleVolatileImage(Unknown Source) at javax.swing.RepaintManager.getVolatileOffscreenBuffer(Unknown Source) at javax.swing.RepaintManager$PaintManager.paint(Unknown Source) at javax.swing.RepaintManager.paint(Unknown Source) at javax.swing.JComponent.paint(Unknown Source) at java.awt.GraphicsCallback$PaintCallback.run(Unknown Source) at sun.awt.SunGraphicsCallback.runOneComponent(Unknown Source) at sun.awt.SunGraphicsCallback.runComponents(Unknown Source) at java.awt.Container.paint(Unknown Source) at java.awt.Window.paint(Unknown Source) at javax.swing.RepaintManager$3.run(Unknown Source) at javax.swing.RepaintManager$3.run(Unknown Source) at java.security.AccessController.doPrivileged(Native Method) at java.security.ProtectionDomain$1.doIntersectionPrivilege(Unknown Source) at javax.swing.RepaintManager.paintDirtyRegions(Unknown Source) at javax.swing.RepaintManager.paintDirtyRegions(Unknown Source) at javax.swing.RepaintManager.prePaintDirtyRegions(Unknown Source) at javax.swing.RepaintManager.access$1100(Unknown Source) at javax.swing.RepaintManager$ProcessingRunnable.run(Unknown Source) at java.awt.event.InvocationEvent.dispatch(Unknown Source) at java.awt.EventQueue.dispatchEventImpl(Unknown Source)

Best Answer

This error means MATLAB is running out of Java Heap memory. To work around this issue simply increase the Java Heap using the following documentation link:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/matlab_external/java-heap-memory-preferences.html

This issue can occur when using a computer screen with many pixels (e.g. very high resolution screen). The reason for this is that MATLAB must allocate enough memory in the Java Heap to account for all the pixels a figure takes. As such, when there are a lot of pixels, the amount of memory necessary is higher. While MATLAB's default heap size is sufficient in most cases, in cases where the total number of pixels is high (e.g. very high resolution screens, multiple screens, etc.) a larger heap size may be necessary.

Related Solutions

MATLAB: Do I receive a “java.lang.OutOfMemoryError: Java heap space” error after upgrading to Database Toolbox 3.5.1 (R2009a)

In Database Toolbox 3.5.1 (R2009a) the default value of the JDBC property 'defaultRowPrefetch' was changed from 10 to 10000. This change should increase the performance of the toolbox, however it will also increase the memory requirements of the toolbox.

To prevent the out of memory error from occuring, you can change this property back to its default value; below instructions for this are given for different versions of the toolbox:

To change the property in Database Toolbox 3.5.1 (R2009a):

After creating the connection:

conn = database(....);

Run the following code:

h = conn.Handle;
h.setDefaultRowPrefetch(10);

To change the property in Database Toolbox 3.6 (R2009b):

Run the following code:

setdbprefs('DefaultRowPrefetch','10')

MATLAB: Does MATLAB run out of Java heap space when the machine changes display settings

NOTE: This solution refers to a specific Java bug with specific symptoms. However, there are many reasons where

 java.lang.OutOfMemoryError: Java heap space

errors may occur. A lot of these cases are not related and can be fixed by increasing the Java heap space. Be sure to compare the listed error log and trigger mechanisms to determine whether the issue you are seeing is in fact related to this solution.

The MATLAB crash is due to a bug in the Java 1.6 Virtual Machine and may affect MATLAB releases R2007b to R2013a which utilize JVM 1.6.

In this version of the JVM, a memory leak occurs if screen resolution is changed. A screen resolution change event may occur with activities such as:

-- Using a screen saver that changes your display settings

-- Adding or removing displays, e.g. connecting an external monitor or a beamer to your laptop

-- Opening/closing the lid of your laptop when it is connected to an external monitor

-- Playing a movie in full screen

-- Playing games that change the display settings

-- Using remote desktop applications that change video settings, e.g. Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection, Netmeeting, Webex, VNC

The Oracle bug report (6990010) can be found at the following link:

http://bugs.sun.com/bugdatabase/view_bug.do?bug_id=6990010

Possible workarounds include:

1. Try increasing the Java heap space. See the related solutions below.

2. If you do not need the JVM to be active with the MATLAB session (most MATLAB GUI and graphics functionality depend on the JVM), you can disable it by starting MATLAB without the JVM. To do this, start MATLAB from a system command window with the

 -nojvm

option.

3. Try using a newer version of the JVM with MATLAB (1.7 or higher). You can do this by setting the MATLAB_JAVA system environment variable to point to the JRE root, such as:

 C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.7.0_10\jre

WARNING: Using a major version of Java that does not ship with MATLAB is not tested and not supported. There have been known issues with using an alternate version of Java (usually with the desktop and display capabilities). If problems occur, we may not be able to help. Only exercise this option after thorough testing.

4. Try to avoid the situations that may change your display settings.

Best Answer

Related Solutions

MATLAB: Do I receive a “java.lang​.OutOfMemo​ryError: Java heap space” error after upgrading to Database Toolbox 3.5.1 (R2009a)

MATLAB: Does MATLAB run out of Java heap space when the machine changes display settings

Related Question

MATLAB: Do I receive a “java.lang.OutOfMemoryError: Java heap space” error after upgrading to Database Toolbox 3.5.1 (R2009a)