Software⏱️ 4 min read📅 2026-06-04

How to Fix: Error #15: Initializing libiomp5.dylib, but found libiomp5.dylib already initialized

Error #15: Initializing libiomp5.dylib, but found libiomp5.dylib already initialized. Avoid static linking of the OpenMP runtime in any library.

Quick Answer: Try reinstalling matplotlib or removing the existing library to resolve the issue.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 🛑 Root Causes of the Error
  2. 🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes
  3. 🎯 Final Words

Error #15: Initializing libiomp5.dylib, but found libiomp5.dylib already initialized occurs when using matplotlib on macOS or Linux systems. This error is caused by multiple copies of the OpenMP runtime being linked into a program, which can lead to performance degradation or incorrect results.

This error can be frustrating for users who rely on matplotlib for data visualization and analysis. However, with the right steps, you can resolve this issue and get back to working with your data.

🛑 Root Causes of the Error

  • The primary reason for this error is that multiple copies of the OpenMP runtime are being linked into a program. This can happen when using static linking of the OpenMP runtime in any library or when multiple libraries are compiled with the OpenMP runtime.
  • Another possible cause is that the system's linker configuration is not properly set up to handle the OpenMP runtime. In some cases, this may be due to conflicts between different versions of the OpenMP runtime or other libraries.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Removing Static Linking

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Identify any static linking of the OpenMP runtime in your project's libraries. This can usually be done by checking the library's compilation flags or by using a tool like ldd (on Linux) to analyze the dependencies.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Modify your project's build settings to remove static linking of the OpenMP runtime. This may involve changing the compiler flags, library paths, or other configuration options.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: Rebuild and recompile your project with the updated build settings. This should resolve the error caused by multiple copies of the OpenMP runtime being linked into the program.

Using a Dynamic Linker

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Install a dynamic linker like ld (on Linux) or dylib (on macOS). This will allow you to manage multiple copies of the OpenMP runtime and avoid conflicts.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Modify your project's build settings to use the dynamic linker. This may involve changing the compiler flags, library paths, or other configuration options.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: Rebuild and recompile your project with the updated build settings. This should resolve the error caused by multiple copies of the OpenMP runtime being linked into the program.

🎯 Final Words

To summarize, Error #15: Initializing libiomp5.dylib, but found libiomp5.dylib already initialized can be resolved by removing static linking of the OpenMP runtime or using a dynamic linker. By following these steps and ensuring that only a single copy of the OpenMP runtime is linked into your program, you should be able to resolve this issue and continue working with matplotlib without any errors.

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