ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'colorama' in Python

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Borislav Hadzhiev

Last updated: Feb 1, 2023
11 min

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# ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'colorama' in Python

The Python "ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'colorama'" occurs when we forget to install the colorama module before importing it or install it in an incorrect environment.

To solve the error, install the module by running the pip install colorama command.

no module named colorama

Open your terminal in your project's root directory and install the colorama module.

shell
# 👇️ in a virtual environment or using Python 2
pip install colorama

# 👇️ for python 3 (could also be pip3.10 depending on your version)
pip3 install colorama

# 👇️ if you get permissions error
sudo pip3 install colorama
pip install colorama --user

# 👇️ if you don't have pip in your PATH environment variable
python -m pip install colorama

# 👇️ for python 3 (could also be pip3.10 depending on your version)
python3 -m pip install colorama

# 👇️ using py alias (Windows)
py -m pip install colorama

# 👇️ for Anaconda
conda install -c anaconda colorama

# 👇️ for Jupyter Notebook
!pip install colorama

After you install the colorama package, try importing it as follows.

main.py
from colorama import Fore, Back, Style

print(Fore.RED + 'some red text')
print(Back.GREEN + 'and with a green background')
print(Style.DIM + 'and in dim text')
print(Style.RESET_ALL)

print('back to normal now')

# Common causes of the error

The error occurs for multiple reasons:

  1. Not having the colorama package installed by running pip install colorama.
  2. Installing the package in a different Python version than the one you're using.
  3. Installing the package globally and not in your virtual environment.
  4. Your IDE running an incorrect version of Python.
  5. Naming your module colorama.py which would shadow the official module.
  6. Declaring a variable named colorama which would shadow the imported variable.

If the error persists, get your Python version and make sure you are installing the package using the correct Python version.

shell
python --version

get python version

For example, my Python version is 3.10.4, so I would install the colorama package with pip3.10 install colorama.

shell
pip3.10 install colorama

# 👇️ if you get permissions error use pip3 (NOT pip3.X)
sudo pip3 install colorama

Notice that the version number corresponds to the version of pip I'm using.

If the PATH for pip is not set up on your machine, replace pip with python3 -m pip:

shell
# 👇️ make sure to use your version of Python, e.g. 3.10
python3 -m pip install colorama

If the "No module named 'colorama'" error persists, try restarting your IDE and development server/script.

# Check if the package is installed

You can check if you have the colorama package installed by running the pip show colorama command.

shell
# 👇️ check if you have colorama installed
pip show colorama

# 👇️ if you don't have pip set up in PATH
python -m pip show colorama

The pip show colorama command will either state that the package is not installed or show a bunch of information about the package, including the location where the package is installed.

# Make sure your IDE is using the correct Python version

If the package is not installed, make sure your IDE is using the correct version of Python.

If you have multiple Python versions installed on your machine, you might have installed the colorama package using the incorrect version or your IDE might be set up to use a different version.

For example, In VSCode, you can press CTRL + Shift + P or (⌘ + Shift + P on Mac) to open the command palette.

Then type "Python select interpreter" in the field.

python select interpreter

Then select the correct python version from the dropdown menu.

select correct python version

Your IDE should be using the same version of Python (including the virtual environment) that you are using to install packages from your terminal.

# Install the package in a Virtual Environment

If you are using a virtual environment, make sure you are installing colorama in your virtual environment and not globally.

You can try creating a virtual environment if you don't already have one.

shell
# 👇️ use correct version of Python when creating VENV
python3 -m venv venv

# 👇️ activate on Unix or MacOS
source venv/bin/activate

# 👇️ activate on Windows (cmd.exe)
venv\Scripts\activate.bat

# 👇️ activate on Windows (PowerShell)
venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1

# 👇️ install colorama in virtual environment
pip install colorama

If the python3 -m venv venv command doesn't work, try the following 2 commands:

  • python -m venv venv
  • py -m venv venv

Your virtual environment will use the version of Python that was used to create it.

If the error persists, make sure you haven't named a module in your project as colorama.py because that would shadow the original colorama module.

You also shouldn't be declaring a variable named colorama as that would also shadow the original module.

# Try reinstalling the package

If the error is not resolved, try to uninstall the colorama package and then reinstall it.

shell
# 👇️ check if you have colorama installed
pip show colorama

# 👇️ if you don't have pip set up in PATH
python -m pip show colorama

# 👇️ uninstall colorama
pip uninstall colorama

# 👇️ if you don't have pip set up in PATH
python -m pip uninstall colorama

# 👇️ install colorama
pip install colorama

# 👇️ if you don't have pip set up in PATH
python -m pip install colorama

Try restarting your IDE and development server/script.

You can also try to upgrade the version of the colorama package.

shell
pip install colorama --upgrade

# 👇️ if you don't have pip set up in PATH
python -m pip install colorama --upgrade
If the error persists, follow the operating system-specific instructions on how to install colorama.

# Table of Contents

  1. Install colorama on Windows
  2. Install colorama on macOS or Linux
  3. Install colorama in Visual Studio Code
  4. Install colorama in PyCharm
  5. Install colorama in Anaconda
  6. Install colorama in Jupyter Notebook

# Install colorama on Windows

To install the colorama module on Windows:

  1. Type CMD in the search bar and open the Command Prompt application.
  2. Type pip install colorama and press Enter.
cmd
pip install colorama

# 👇️ for Python 3
pip3 install colorama

# 👇️ if you don't have pip in your PATH environment variable
python -m pip install colorama

# 👇️ for Python 3
python3 -m pip install colorama

# 👇️ using py alias
py -m pip install colorama

# 👇️ if you get permissions error
pip install colorama --user

# 👇️ for Anaconda
conda install -c anaconda colorama

pip install colorama windows

After you install the colorama package, try importing it as follows.

main.py
from colorama import Fore, Back, Style

print(Fore.RED + 'some red text')
print(Back.GREEN + 'and with a green background')
print(Style.DIM + 'and in dim text')
print(Style.RESET_ALL)

print('back to normal now')

If the installation command doesn't succeed, try running CMD as an administrator.

Right-click on the search result, click on "Run as administrator" and run the pip install command.

run cmd as administrator

If you get the error 'pip' is not recognized as an internal or external command, use the python -m command when installing colorama.

shell
python -m pip install colorama

python3 -m pip install colorama

py -m pip install colorama

Alternatively, you can install the colorama module in a virtual environment:

  1. Open the root directory of your project.
  2. Press Shift and right-click in Explorer.

windows open powershell window here

  1. Click on "Open PowerShell window here".
  2. Run the following commands.
PowerShell
# 👇️ might also be: "python3 -m venv venv"
python -m venv venv

# 👇️ activate on Windows (PowerShell)
venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1

# 👇️ activate on Windows (cmd.exe)
venv\Scripts\activate.bat

# 👇️ install colorama in virtual environment
pip install colorama

If the python -m venv venv command doesn't work, try the following 2 commands:

  • python3 -m venv venv
  • py -m venv venv.

If you see an error message that ps1 cannot be loaded because running scripts is disabled on this system, run the following command, type "yes" when prompted and rerun the activation command.

PowerShell
Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser
You can verify that the colorama module is installed by using the pip show colorama command.
PowerShell
pip show colorama
pip3 show colorama

python -m pip show colorama
python3 -m pip show colorama

The pip show colorama command will either state that the package is not installed or show a bunch of information about the package, including the location where the package is installed.

# Install colorama on macOS or Linux

To install colorama on macOS or Linux:

  1. Search for "terminal" and start the application.
  2. Type pip install colorama and press Enter.

search for terminal

terminal
pip install colorama

# 👇️ for Python 3
pip3 install colorama

# 👇️ if you get permissions error
sudo pip3 install colorama

# 👇️ if you don't have pip in your PATH environment variable
python -m pip install colorama

# 👇️ for python 3
python3 -m pip install colorama

# 👇️ alternative if you get permissions error
pip install colorama --user

# 👇️ for Anaconda
conda install -c anaconda colorama

macos linux install colorama

After you install the colorama package, try importing it as follows.

main.py
from colorama import Fore, Back, Style

print(Fore.RED + 'some red text')
print(Back.GREEN + 'and with a green background')
print(Style.DIM + 'and in dim text')
print(Style.RESET_ALL)

print('back to normal now')

If you get an error that pip isn't found, use the python -m command.

terminal
python -m pip install colorama

python3 -m pip install colorama

If you get a permissions error, prefix the command with sudo.

terminal
sudo pip install colorama

sudo pip3 install colorama

Alternatively, you can install the colorama package in a virtual environment:

  1. Open your terminal in the root directory of your project.
  2. Run the following commands.
shell
# 👇️ could also be "python -m venv venv"
python3 -m venv venv

# 👇️ activate virtual env on macOS or Linux
source venv/bin/activate

# 👇️ install colorama in virtual environment
pip install colorama

Your virtual environment will use the version of Python that was used to create it.

If the python3 -m venv venv command doesn't work, use python -m venv venv instead.

You can use the pip show command to verify colorama has been installed successfully.

shell
pip show colorama
pip3 show colorama

python -m pip show colorama
python3 -m pip show colorama

The pip show colorama command will either state that the package is not installed or show a bunch of information about the package.

# Install colorama in Visual Studio Code

To install colorama in Visual Studio Code:

  1. Press CTRL + ` (Backtick) on your keyboard to open the terminal.
  2. Run the pip install colorama command to install the colorama module.
terminal
pip install colorama

# 👇️ for Python 3
pip3 install colorama

# 👇️ if you get permissions error
sudo pip3 install colorama

# 👇️ if you don't have pip in your PATH environment variable
python -m pip install colorama

# 👇️ for python 3
python3 -m pip install colorama

# 👇️ using py alias
py -m pip install colorama

# 👇️ alternative if you get permissions error
pip install colorama --user

vscode pip install colorama

You can also open the terminal in Visual studio code by pressing CTRL+Shift+P and then typing "View: Toggle Terminal".

After you install the colorama package, try importing it as follows.

main.py
from colorama import Fore, Back, Style

print(Fore.RED + 'some red text')
print(Back.GREEN + 'and with a green background')
print(Style.DIM + 'and in dim text')
print(Style.RESET_ALL)

print('back to normal now')

When installing Python modules in Visual Studio code, make sure that your IDE is configured to use the correct Python version.

Press CTRL+Shift+P or (⌘ + Shift + P on Mac) to open the command palette.

Then type "Python select interpreter" in the field.

python select interpreter

Then select the correct Python version from the dropdown menu.

select correct python version

Your IDE should be using the same version of Python (including the virtual environment) that you are using to install packages from your terminal.

You can use the python --version command if you need to get your version of Python.

terminal
python --version
python3 --version

get python version

You can also try creating a virtual environment if you don't already have one.

terminal
# 👇️ could also be "python -m venv venv" or "py -m venv venv"
python3 -m venv venv

# 👇️ activate on Unix or MacOS
source venv/bin/activate

# 👇️ activate on Windows (cmd.exe)
venv\Scripts\activate.bat

# 👇️ activate on Windows (PowerShell)
venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1

# 👇️ install colorama in virtual environment
pip install colorama

Your virtual environment will use the version of Python that was used to create it.

# Install colorama in PyCharm

To install colorama in PyCharm:

  1. Press Alt+F12 on your keyboard to open the terminal.
  2. Run the pip install colorama command to install the colorama module.
terminal
pip install colorama

# 👇️ for Python 3
pip3 install colorama

# 👇️ if you get permissions error
sudo pip3 install colorama

# 👇️ if you don't have pip in your PATH environment variable
python -m pip install colorama

# 👇️ for python 3
python3 -m pip install colorama

# 👇️ using py alias
py -m pip install colorama

# 👇️ alternative if you get permissions error
pip install colorama --user

pycharm pip install colorama

After you install the colorama package, try importing it as follows.

main.py
from colorama import Fore, Back, Style

print(Fore.RED + 'some red text')
print(Back.GREEN + 'and with a green background')
print(Style.DIM + 'and in dim text')
print(Style.RESET_ALL)

print('back to normal now')

Alternatively, you can use the IDE itself to install the module.

  1. Click on "File" > "Settings" > "Project" > "Python Interpreter".
  2. Click on the + icon and type colorama.
  3. Click on "Install Package".

pycharm interpreter install colorama

When installing Python modules in PyCharm, make sure that your IDE is configured to use the correct version of Python.

Click on "File" > "Settings" > "Project" > "Python Interpreter".

pycharm select correct interpreter

Then select the correct Python version from the dropdown menu.

Your IDE should be using the same version of Python (including the virtual environment) that you are using to install packages from your terminal.

You can use the python --version command if you need to get your version of Python.

terminal
python --version
python3 --version

get python version

# Install colorama in Anaconda

To install colorama in Anaconda:

  1. Open your Anaconda Navigator.
  2. Click on "Environments" and select your project.
  3. Type colorama in the search bar to the right.
  4. Tick the colorama package and click on "Apply".

anaconda navigator install package

Alternatively, you can install the colorama package with a command.

If you are on Windows, search for "Anaconda Prompt" and open the application.

If you are on macOS or Linux, open your terminal.

Run the following command to install the colorama package.

shell
# 👇️ using conda
conda install -c anaconda colorama

# 👇️ Alternatively use `pip`
pip install colorama

# 👇️ for Python 3
pip3 install colorama

# 👇️ if you get permissions error
sudo pip3 install colorama

# 👇️ if you don't have pip in your PATH environment variable
python -m pip install colorama

# 👇️ for python 3
python3 -m pip install colorama

# 👇️ using py alias
py -m pip install colorama

# 👇️ alternative if you get permissions error
pip install colorama --user

After you install the colorama package, try importing it as follows.

main.py
from colorama import Fore, Back, Style

print(Fore.RED + 'some red text')
print(Back.GREEN + 'and with a green background')
print(Style.DIM + 'and in dim text')
print(Style.RESET_ALL)

print('back to normal now')

Click on the following article if you need to install a specific version of the package using Anaconda.

# Install colorama in Jupyter Notebook

To install colorama in Jupyter Notebook:

  1. Open your terminal and type "jupyter notebook".

open jupyter notebook

  1. Click on "New" and then "Terminal" in the browser tab.

jupyter notebook click new terminal

  1. Type pip install colorama and press Enter.
shell
# 👇️ using pip
pip install colorama

# 👇️ for Python 3
pip3 install colorama

# 👇️ if you get permissions error
sudo pip3 install colorama

# 👇️ if you don't have pip in your PATH environment variable
python -m pip install colorama

# 👇️ for python 3
python3 -m pip install colorama

# 👇️ using py alias
py -m pip install colorama

# 👇️ using conda
conda install -c anaconda colorama

# 👇️ alternative if you get permissions error
pip install colorama --user

After you install the colorama package, try importing it as follows.

main.py
from colorama import Fore, Back, Style

print(Fore.RED + 'some red text')
print(Back.GREEN + 'and with a green background')
print(Style.DIM + 'and in dim text')
print(Style.RESET_ALL)

print('back to normal now')

Alternatively, you can use the Python ipykernel.

  1. Open your terminal and type "jupyter notebook".

open jupyter notebook

  1. Click on "New" and then click on "Python 3 (ipykernel)". jupyter notebook click new ipykernel

  2. Type !pip install colorama and click on "Run".

jupyter notebook install module

Note that the pip install command must be prefixed with an exclamation mark if you use this approach.

shell
!pip install colorama

Once you type the command, click "Run" to install the colorama module.

If you get a permissions error, e.g. "[WinError: 5] Access is denied", add the --user option to the installation command.

shell
!pip install colorama --user

jupyter notebook install with user option

If the error persists, try to restart the Jupyter Kernel and rerun the command.

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