How to fix ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'cv2' in Python (2024)

How to fix ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'cv2' in Python (1)

One error you might encounter when executing a Python program is:

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'cv2'

This error occurs when Python can’t find the opencv-python library in the current environment.

In this tutorial, I will show you an example that causes this error and how to fix it in practice.

How to reproduce the error

Suppose you want to use the opencv-python library to perform image processing and computer vision tasks:

import cv2

But you get the following error when running the code:

Traceback (most recent call last): File "main.py", line 1, in <module> import cv2ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'cv2'

To my knowledge, the ModuleNotFoundError happens when Python can’t find the module you’re trying to import.

The import the cv2 module successfully, you need to install the opencv-python library first.

How to fix this error

To resolve this error, you need to install the opencv-python library using the pip install command:

pip install opencv-python# For pip3:pip3 install opencv-python

Note that the package name is different than the module name. Once the package is installed, you should be able to run the code that imports cv2 without receiving the error.

Install commands for other environments

The install command might differ depending on what environment you used to run the Python code.

Here’s a list of common install commands in popular Python environments to install the opencv-python package:

# if you don't have pip in your PATH:python -m pip install opencv-pythonpython3 -m pip install opencv-python# Windowspy -m pip install opencv-python# Anacondaconda install opencv-python# Jupyter Notebook!pip install opencv-python

Once the module is installed, you should be able to run the code without receiving this error.

Other common causes for this error

If you still see the error even after installing the module, it means that the opencv-python package can’t be found in your Python environment.

There are several reasons why this error can happen:

  1. You may have multiple versions of Python installed on your system, and you are using a different version of Python than the one where opencv-python is installed.
  2. You might have opencv-python installed in a virtual environment, and you are not activating the virtual environment before running your code.
  3. Your IDE uses a different version of Python from the one that has opencv-python
  4. The package is not installed in PyCharm

Let’s see how to fix these errors in practice.

1. You have multiple versions of Python

If you have multiple versions of Python installed on your system, you need to make sure that you are using the specific version where the opencv-python package is available.

You can test this by running the which -a python or which -a python3 command from the terminal:

$ which -a python3/opt/homebrew/bin/python3/usr/bin/python3

In the example above, there are two versions of Python installed on /opt/homebrew/bin/python3 and /usr/bin/python3.

Suppose you run the following steps in your project:

  1. Install opencv-python with pip using /usr/bin/ Python version
  2. Install Python using Homebrew, you have Python in /opt/homebrew/
  3. Then you run import cv2 in your code

The steps above will cause the error because opencv-python is installed in /usr/bin/, and your code is probably executed using Python from /opt/homebrew/ path.

To solve this error, you need to run the pip install opencv-python command again so that opencv-python is installed and accessible by the active Python version.

2. Python virtual environment is active

Another scenario that could cause this error is you may have opencv-python installed in a virtual environment.

Python venv package allows you to create a virtual environment where you can install different versions of packages required by your project.

If you’re installing opencv-python inside a virtual environment, then the package won’t be accessible outside of that environment.

You can see if a virtual environment is active or not by looking at your prompt in the terminal.

When a virtual environment is active, the name of that environment will be shown inside parentheses as shown below:

Python has an active venv environment

In the picture above, the name of the virtual environment (demoenv) appears, indicating that the virtual environment is currently active.

If you run pip install while the virtual environment is active, then the package is installed only for that environment

Likewise, any package installed outside of that virtual environment won’t be accessible from the virtual environment. The solution is to run the pip install command on the environment you want to use.

If you want to install opencv-python globally, then turn off the virtual environment by running the deactivate command before running the pip install command.

3. IDE using a different Python version

Finally, the IDE from where you run your Python code may use a different Python version when you have multiple versions installed.

For example, you can check the Python interpreter used in VSCode by opening the command palette (CTRL + Shift + P for Windows and ⌘ + Shift + P for Mac) then run the Python: Select Interpreter command.

You should see all available Python versions listed as follows:

Python versions listed in VSCode

You need to use the same version where you installed opencv-python so that the cv2 module can be found when you run the code from VSCode.

Once done, you should be able to import cv2 without receiving any errors.

4. You see this error in PyCharm

If you’re using PyCharm as your IDE, then this error might occur because the package is not installed in the Python interpreter used by PyCharm.

This is because PyCharm creates a new virtual environment for each project you create using the IDE.

To resolve this error, you can install the package using PyCharm’s terminal.

For more information, you can see the guide to install and uninstall packages in PyCharm.

Conclusion

In summary, the ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'cv2' occurs when the opencv-python library is not installed in your Python environment. To resolve this error, you need to run the pip install opencv-python command.

If you already have the module installed, make sure you are using the correct version of Python, check if the virtual environment is active if you have one, and check for the Python version used by your IDE.

By following these steps, you should be able to import the cv2 module in your code successfully.

I hope you find this tutorial helpful. Until next time! 👋

How to fix ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'cv2' in Python (2024)

FAQs

How to fix ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'cv2' in Python? ›

This error specifies that the Python interpreter cannot find the OpenCV module in the current environment. To resolve this issue, one typically needs to install the OpenCV library using a package manager like pip, ensuring that the correct module name is used for import in the code.

How to fix no module named cv2 in Python? ›

How to Fix the Error
  1. Step 1: Install OpenCV. First, you need to install OpenCV. ...
  2. Step 2: Verify Installation. After installing OpenCV, you need to verify that it's installed correctly. ...
  3. Step 3: Install the opencv-contrib-python. Now that you've installed OpenCV, you might need to install opencv-contrib-python as well.
Nov 18, 2023

How to get cv2 module in Python? ›

There are two main ways to install cv2:
  1. pip install opencv-python.
  2. conda install -c conda-forge opencv.
Mar 9, 2023

How do I fix no module named Python? ›

If you're running a different version of Python where the module is installed, you'll get the 'No Module Named' error. To resolve this, you can either install the module for the version of Python you're using or change your Python version to match the one the module is installed for.

How do I fix no module named MySQL in Python? ›

Below, are the approaches to solve “Modulenotfounderror: No Module Named 'Mysql'” .
  1. Install MySQL Module.
  2. Check Module Name.
  3. Activate Virtual Environment.
Feb 5, 2024

How to resolve a CV2 error? ›

To resolve this issue, one typically needs to install the OpenCV library using a package manager like pip, ensuring that the correct module name is used for import in the code.

How to check if CV2 is installed? ›

Another method to get detailed information about your OpenCV installation is by using cv2. getBuildInformation(). This method provides a comprehensive report containing various details like compiler information, modules enabled, and version.

How to install CV2 in Python using cmd? ›

Pre-configured OpenCV for Python from PyPi
  1. open the terminal (Ctrl+R + cmd)
  2. check Python3 installation: py --version.
  3. choose the most complete package and run: py -m pip install opencv-contrib-python.
  4. check installation by entering the Python REPL: py.
  5. import tha library: import cv2.

Which Python version is required for CV2? ›

Before installing OpenCV-Python, ensure that your system meets the following requirements: Python 3.6 or later installed (You can download Python from https://www.python.org/downloads/) pip (Python Package Installer) installed with your Python distribution.

How to remove ModuleNotFoundError in Python? ›

To resolve such error you have to upgrade your python to the newest version. To check for version compatibility in a “ModuleNotFoundError”, you can take the following steps: check Installed Package version : To list all installed packages and their versions in your python environment use the 'pip list' command.

What causes ModuleNotFoundError? ›

What are ModuleNotFoundError and ImportError? ModuleNotFoundError: This error occurs when Python cannot find the module specified in the import statement. It could be due to the module not being installed or the Python interpreter not being able to locate it in the specified paths.

How do I fix no module named cv2? ›

Regarding modulenotfounderror no module named cv2 This error may occur if you didn't install opencv module in your system. So first check this module is available or not. If it is not available, then install this module. But before that, try to check numpy module is available or not.

How do I fix no module named pip in Python? ›

Solution 1: Install Pip
  1. Check if pip is already installed by running the following command in your terminal or command prompt: ...
  2. Download the get-pip.py script by running the following command: ...
  3. Run the get-pip.py script using the Python interpreter with the following command:
Nov 2, 2023

How to install CV2 in command prompt? ›

Pre-configured OpenCV for Python from PyPi
  1. open the terminal (Ctrl+R + cmd)
  2. check Python3 installation: py --version.
  3. choose the most complete package and run: py -m pip install opencv-contrib-python.
  4. check installation by entering the Python REPL: py.
  5. import tha library: import cv2.

References

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