Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-04

How to Fix: Qt: can't find -lGL error

Qt Creator compilation error fix for Ubuntu 13.04

Quick Answer: Update Qt and its dependencies, or install the GL library separately.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 💡 Why You Are Getting This Error
  2. 🚀 How to Resolve This Issue
  3. ✨ Wrapping Up

The 'cannot find -lGL' error occurs when the compiler is unable to locate the Graphics Library (GL) during compilation. This issue affects users who have installed QtCreator and are trying to build a project that requires GL functionality.

This error can be frustrating as it prevents the user from successfully compiling their project, even if they have not made any changes to the code. In this troubleshooting guide, we will walk through the steps to resolve this issue.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The primary reason for this error is that the system's linker (ld) cannot find the GL library (-lGL). This can happen when the GL library is not installed or not properly configured on the system.
  • Another possible cause is that the QtCreator project kit is not correctly set up to use the GL library. This can occur if the user has changed the project kit settings without updating the linker configuration.

🚀 How to Resolve This Issue

Updating the System's GL Library

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Install the necessary GL libraries using the package manager. For Ubuntu-based systems, run the command 'sudo apt-get install libgl1-mesa-glx'.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Verify that the GL library has been successfully installed by checking the output of the 'dpkg -L' command. This should display the location of the GL library.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: Update the QtCreator project kit to use the newly installed GL library. Go to Project Kit Manager, select the project kit, and click on the 'Edit' button. In the linker settings, ensure that '-lGL' is included in the libraries section.

Updating the QtCreator Project Kit

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Open the Project Kit Manager by clicking on 'Project Kit Manager' in the QtCreator menu.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Select the project kit that corresponds to your project and click on the 'Edit' button.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: In the linker settings, ensure that '-lGL' is included in the libraries section. If it's not already there, add it by clicking on the '+' button next to the 'libraries' field.

✨ Wrapping Up

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the 'cannot find -lGL' error and successfully compile your project. Remember to update your system's GL library and QtCreator project kit settings as needed to ensure that your projects use the required libraries.

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