matplotlib window freezing / hanging on close in ipython with OS X

[flipdazed]

This problem has affected everyone I work with that updated to the currently latest versions below. This only affects ipython plots. The regular python terminal is unaffected by this issue.

Also on posted on StackOverflow: http://stackoverflow.com/q/38801285/4013571

Reproduction

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
plt.plot()
# manually close the window with `x`

Attempting plt.close() also disables the three native OS X window buttons

Workaround

Us the shortcut for closing ipython and then cancel the exit

^+d
Do you really want to exit ([y]/n)? n

Versions

ipython 5.0.0
matplotlib 1.5.1 
OS X El Capitan Version 10.11.6

Related

• http://stackoverflow.com/questions/34108696/cannot-manually-close-matplotlib-plot-window
• Cannot manually close matplotlib plot window in Mac OS X Yosemite #5624

[jenshnielsen]

As far as I know this only affects the OSX backend so as a work around you can use another backend. I.e.

%matplotlib QT4

or

%matplotlib QT5

or

%matplotlib tk

[jenshnielsen]

On the IPython side ipython/ipython#9659

[jenshnielsen]

I think the problem is that wait_for_stdin is no longer called automatically with the new prompt-toolkit input hook.

This used to be set as a regular python input hook with

PyOS_InputHook = wait_for_stdin;

[REMeyer]

This affects me as well and can confirm that changing the backend away from MacOSX is a workaround.

[REMeyer]

Update: The Qt4 backend is now causing incredible lag in the ipython console after plotting is invoked. So it is not as nice of a workaround anymore. Doesn't seem like theres been a solution to this issue yet.

[tacaswell]

can you try updating ipython? There were some recent changes to how the event loop integration is handled.

[jenshnielsen]

This was solved for me a long time ago with an update to ipython fixing the event loop integration with prompt-toolkit. @REMeyer If you have a new issue with PyQt5 can you please open a new issue for that

[fabki00]

Yes, I can confirm that updating ipython fixes this problem.

[gyubeomim]

I found it.

in my case, I restarted cmd as an administrator then it works!

[tacaswell]

@tigerk0430 Having to run python as an administrator suggests that your installation is broken. In general doing anything other than administration with elevated permissions is a very bad idea.

[sebma]

This also works :

%matplotlib auto