Posted on December 31, 2022 (Updated on July 19, 2025)

Jupyter Notebook fails to launch in ArcGIS Pro 2.8

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Jupyter Notebook Blues in ArcGIS Pro 2.8? Here’s How to Fix It

So, you’re trying to fire up a Jupyter Notebook in ArcGIS Pro 2.8 and… nothing. Or worse, you get some cryptic error message. Trust me, you’re not alone. When ArcGIS Pro 2.8 landed back in 2021, bringing all sorts of shiny new features, it also brought some headaches for those of us who rely on Jupyter Notebooks for our Python-powered geospatial wizardry. Launch failures were, and sometimes still are, a real pain. Let’s dive into what causes these issues and, more importantly, how to get things working again.

The Usual Suspects: Error Messages and Weird Behavior

What exactly does “failure” look like? Well, it can manifest in a few lovely ways:

  • The dreaded “Failed to Load Notebook” error: Pretty self-explanatory, but no less frustrating.
  • “DLL Load Failed”: This one’s a bit more technical, hinting at problems with those behind-the-scenes dynamic link libraries. I’ve seen this pop up when trying to launch from the Python command prompt.
  • Kaboom! ArcGIS Pro crashes: The nuclear option. Not fun.
  • Kernel panic: The notebook opens, but the kernel – the engine that runs your Python code – refuses to start. You might see a “Kernel Died” message.
  • Python environment chaos: Packages refuse to install correctly, or your carefully crafted Python environment mysteriously reverts to the default. It’s like your computer is playing tricks on you.

Why Is This Happening? (The Blame Game)

Okay, so what’s causing all this mayhem? Here are a few likely culprits:

  • Software squabbles: Sometimes, other programs, especially antivirus software, butt heads with ArcGIS Pro. It’s like they’re fighting for resources.
  • Python environment gone rogue: Your Python environment, the carefully curated collection of libraries that your code depends on, can get corrupted. Think of it like a bad apple spoiling the whole bunch. Duplicate packages can also cause issues.
  • Permission denied! ArcGIS Pro might not have the necessary permissions to access the files it needs.
  • Path problems: Spaces or weird characters in your project path or notebook name? That can throw a wrench in the works.
  • .NET Desktop Runtime gremlins: This is a bit of a deep dive, but sometimes updates to the .NET Desktop Runtime (thanks, Windows Updates!) can cause unexpected issues.
  • Node.js incompatibility (for VS Code users): If you’re using external IDEs like VS Code, make sure your Node.js version plays nice with the ArcGIS API. I’ve found version 14.6.0 to be a safe bet.
  • Virtualization woes: Running ArcGIS Pro in a virtual environment like Citrix? Make sure everything is configured correctly and your drivers are up to date.

Time to Roll Up Your Sleeves: Troubleshooting Steps

Alright, enough with the doom and gloom. Let’s get down to fixing things. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting your Jupyter Notebooks back on track:

  • The classic reboot: Seriously, sometimes just restarting your computer is enough to clear out temporary glitches.

  • Run as administrator: Give ArcGIS Pro some extra muscle by running it as an administrator. Right-click the icon and select “Run as administrator.”

  • Antivirus interference: Tell your antivirus software to chill out and leave ArcGIS Pro alone. You’ll need to add ArcGIS Pro and its Python directories to the exclusion list. Your IT folks can help you with this.

  • Repair time: Use the “Repair” option in the Control Panel to fix any damaged ArcGIS Pro files. It’s like giving your software a tune-up.

  • Clone your environment: Create a copy of the default “arcgispro-py3” Python environment. This gives you a clean slate to work with. You can do this in the Python Package Manager within ArcGIS Pro. Activate the clone and try launching your notebook.

  • The nuclear option: Reinstall ArcGIS Pro: If all else fails, a clean reinstall might be necessary. Make sure you delete the existing Python environment folder after uninstalling (it’s usually at C:\Program Files\ArcGIS\Pro\bin\Python\envs\arcgispro-py3).

  • Command-line kung fu: Get your hands dirty with conda commands in the command line. This gives you more control over your Python environments. For example:

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