Darktable 5.4 and 5.2 won't open interface on win 11

[kjm5000]

Is there an existing issue for this?

• I checked and did not find my issue in the already reported ones

Describe the bug

When using (at least) 5.4 and 5.2, the program will run but there is no UI. Attempting to open from my taskbar results in a bunch of tiny windows opening up momentarily and then closing and still not UI. I have disabled openCL with no luck still.

Steps to reproduce

1. Download darktable
2. Open darktable
3. nothing

Expected behavior

Darktable should be opening the UI

Logfile | Screenshot | Screencast

my log is empty since this is my first time using it

Commit

No response

Where did you obtain darktable from?

darktable.org / GitHub release

darktable version

5.4.1, 5.4.0, 5.2.1

What OS are you using?

Windows

What is the version of your OS?

Windows 11 version 25H2

Describe your system

AMD ryzen 7 5700x
32gb 3200mhz ram
EVGA 1080ti

Are you using OpenCL GPU in darktable?

Yes

If yes, what is the GPU card and driver?

EVGA 1080ti

Please provide additional context if applicable. You can attach files too, but might need to rename to .txt or .zip

It happens in all versions listed above with or without OpenCL straight out of a fresh download and a computer restart and update

[wpferguson]

Does the splash screen show? If it does, does it stop at a certain point?

[kjm5000]

The initial splash screen opens and shows that its loading the ui and whatnot. After that, it simply sits in my taskbar with the above issues.

[wpferguson]

There is an issue with 5.4.0 and 5.4.1 hanging while initializing. Usually a second attempt to start darktable succeeds.

[kjm5000]

I have tried to restart the app as well as uninstall and reinstall it numerous times with no luck still. The only bit of luck I've had was downloading the nightly release which gave me the initial settings prompt but then had the same cycle happen where it won't open.

[wpferguson]

can you try running it from a terminal like so, "C:\Program Files\darktable\bin\darktable.exe" -d all which should produce a log file in your Documents\Darktable folder. Attach the log file and we'll see if we can find anything

[kjm5000]

I did try doing that and checking the log file and it is empty, zero bytes in it, the log file is completely empty.

[wpferguson]

I forgot, windows doesn't write the log file until it exits, therefore if it hangs there is no log file.