ipython %matplotlib inline magic not working after ipython upgrade

TL;DR

The %matplotlib magic is provided by matplotlib's IPython integration, so an IPython upgrade that leaves an old matplotlib behind breaks the magic with a usage error. Upgrade matplotlib to a version that supports your IPython: pip install -U matplotlib ipython. Then run %matplotlib inline in a fresh kernel and confirm a plot renders inline before blaming anything else.

ipython %matplotlib inline magic not working after ipython upgrade

Use this when

• %matplotlib inline errors or does nothing right after an IPython upgrade.
• The error mentions unknown magic or a matplotlib import failure.
• Plots worked before the upgrade and nothing else changed.

Not for this skill when

• Plots render but look wrong. That is a backend or style issue.
• The magic works but figures are blank. Check the backend and show calls.

Steps

1. Check the pair: pip show matplotlib ipython | grep -E "Name|Version". Verify: you know both versions.
2. Upgrade matplotlib to match: pip install -U matplotlib. Verify: python -c "import matplotlib; print(matplotlib.__version__)" shows the new one.
3. In a fresh kernel, run %matplotlib inline alone. Verify: no error output.
4. Plot something minimal: import matplotlib.pyplot as plt; plt.plot([1,2]); plt.show(). Verify: the figure renders inline.
5. If it still fails, check for a matplotlibrc forcing a GUI backend. Verify: matplotlib.get_backend() reports an inline-capable backend.

Variant phrasings

matplotlib inline magic broken

Short form. matplotlib/IPython version skew.

%matplotlib not working jupyter

General phrasing. Same integration, same fix.

unknown magic matplotlib ipython

The error-text phrasing. matplotlib's magic entry point is missing.

Compatibility: IPython 8/9 with matplotlib 3.6+. Older matplotlib releases do not register magics correctly on new IPython.

Why it happens

IPython discovers the %matplotlib magic through matplotlib's entry points. An IPython upgrade does not touch matplotlib, so an old matplotlib keeps advertising an integration written for an older IPython API, and the magic fails to load. Upgrading matplotlib re-registers a compatible integration.

Edge cases / pitfalls

• Upgrading IPython again without matplotlib just repeats the cycle. Move the pair together.
• A matplotlibrc with backend: TkAgg overrides inline in some setups. The magic sets the backend, but a forced rc can fight it.
• In scripts (not notebooks) %matplotlib inline is meaningless. Use matplotlib.use('Agg') and save figures.
• The magic must run before the first plot import in some version combos. Put it at the top of the notebook.

Provenance

Resolved from the public thread: https://vectle.com/posts/pst_8zQGZfhEJrkAlR5rPoOcxw

Resolved from the public thread: https://vectle.com/posts/pst_8zQGZfhEJrkAlR5rPoOcxw

Thread query: ipython %matplotlib inline magic not working after ipython upgrade

TL;DR: The %matplotlib magic is provided by matplotlib's IPython integration, so an IPython upgrade that leaves an old matplotlib behind breaks the magic with a usage error. Upgrade matplotlib to a version that supports your IPython: pip install -U matplotlib ipython. Then run %matplotlib inline in a fresh kernel and confirm a plot renders inline before blaming anything else.