Try this Unix shell script:
#!/bin/sh
/Applications/Utilities/XQuartz.app/Contents/MacOS/X11.bin
Check that the path is correct.
I named the script X11.
Open the Terminal and enter X11.
Hope the helps.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
I had the same error. It turns out. I either need to manually start XQuartz or turn on XQuartz as a login item: System Settings --> General --> login items--> select XQuartz, then reboot the MacBook. This fixed my issue.
I had the same error. It turns out. I either need to manually start XQuartz or turn on XQuartz as a login item: System Settings --> General --> login items--> select XQuartz, then reboot the MacBook. This fixed my issue.
Did you install XQuartz from
or from another source?
Did you reboot your Mac, after installing XQuartz so that it establishes all the correct hooks into your logging GUI environment?
I never have to manually start. I either start a local X11 based app (/opt/X11/bin/xclock or /opt/X11/bin/xterm for example), or I
ssh -Y user@remote.Linux.system
and start an X11 based app on the Linux system
If I really want to start manually, I can double click on the XQuartz icon, but I never do that, as mentioned above, it automatically starts when an X11 based app starts talking to the port established by the DISPLAY environment variable.
And you are going to have to reboot (or logout and login to your macOS session) at least once after installing XQuartz so that the DISPLAY environment variable is established, an so that the ssh -Y command can create a proper X11 tunnel.
How to resolve the XQuartz launching issue on Mac