ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'Crypto' in Python

# ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'Crypto' in Python

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

# 👇️ for Anaconda
conda install -c conda-forge pycryptodome

# 👇️ for Jupyter Notebook
!pip install pycryptodome

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

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from Crypto.Cipher import AES

from Crypto.Random import get_random_bytes

data = b'secret data'

key = get_random_bytes(16)
cipher = AES.new(key, AES.MODE_EAX)
ciphertext, tag = cipher.encrypt_and_digest(data)

file_out = open("encrypted.bin", "wb")
[file_out.write(x) for x in (cipher.nonce, tag, ciphertext)]
file_out.close()

# Common causes of the error

The error occurs for multiple reasons:

1. Not having the pycryptodome package installed by running pip install pycryptodome.
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 crypto.py which would shadow the official module.
6. Declaring a variable named Crypto 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.

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python --version

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

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pip3.10 install pycryptodome

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

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:

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

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

# Check if the package is installed

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

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# 👇️ check if you have pycryptodome installed
pip show pycryptodome

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

The pip show pycryptodome 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.

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.

Then select the correct python version from the dropdown menu.

# Install the package in a Virtual Environment

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

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

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# 👇️ 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 pycryptodome in virtual environment
pip install pycryptodome

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.

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

# Try reinstalling the package

If the error is not resolved, try to uninstall the pycryptodome package and then install it.

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# 👇️ check if you have pycryptodome installed
pip show pycryptodome

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

# 👇️ uninstall pycryptodome
pip uninstall pycryptodome

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

# 👇️ install pycryptodome
pip install pycryptodome

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

Try restarting your IDE and development server/script.

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

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pip install pycryptodome --upgrade

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

# Table of Contents

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

# Install PyCryptodome (Crypto) on Windows

To install the pycryptodome module on Windows:

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

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pip install pycryptodome

# 👇️ for Python 3
pip3 install pycryptodome

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

# 👇️ for Python 3
python3 -m pip install pycryptodome

# 👇️ using py alias
py -m pip install pycryptodome

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

# 👇️ for Anaconda
conda install -c conda-forge pycryptodome

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

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

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python -m pip install pycryptodome

python3 -m pip install pycryptodome

py -m pip install pycryptodome

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

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

3. Click on "Open PowerShell window here".
4. Run the following commands.

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# 👇️ 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 pycryptodome in virtual environment
pip install pycryptodome

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.

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Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser

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pip show pycryptodome
pip3 show pycryptodome

python -m pip show pycryptodome
python3 -m pip show pycryptodome

The pip show pycryptodome 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 PyCryptodome (Crypto) on macOS or Linux

To install pycryptodome on macOS or Linux:

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

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pip install pycryptodome

# 👇️ for Python 3
pip3 install pycryptodome

# 👇️ if you get permissions error
sudo pip3 install pycryptodome

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

# 👇️ for python 3
python3 -m pip install pycryptodome

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

# 👇️ for Anaconda
conda install -c conda-forge pycryptodome

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

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python -m pip install pycryptodome

python3 -m pip install pycryptodome

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

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sudo pip install pycryptodome

sudo pip3 install pycryptodome

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

1. Open your terminal in the root directory of your project.
2. Run the following commands.

Copied!
# 👇️ could also be "python -m venv venv"
python3 -m venv venv

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

# 👇️ install pycryptodome in virtual environment
pip install pycryptodome

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

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

Copied!
pip show pycryptodome
pip3 show pycryptodome

python -m pip show pycryptodome
python3 -m pip show pycryptodome

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

# Install PyCryptodome (Crypto) in Visual Studio Code

To install pycryptodome in Visual Studio Code:

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

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pip install pycryptodome

# 👇️ for Python 3
pip3 install pycryptodome

# 👇️ if you get permissions error
sudo pip3 install pycryptodome

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

# 👇️ for python 3
python3 -m pip install pycryptodome

# 👇️ using py alias
py -m pip install pycryptodome

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

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

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

Then type "Python select interpreter" in the field.

Then select the correct Python version from the dropdown menu.

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

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python --version
python3 --version

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

Copied!
# 👇️ 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 pycryptodome in virtual environment
pip install pycryptodome

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

# Install PyCryptodome (Crypto) in PyCharm

To install pycryptodome in PyCharm:

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

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pip install pycryptodome

# 👇️ for Python 3
pip3 install pycryptodome

# 👇️ if you get permissions error
sudo pip3 install pycryptodome

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

# 👇️ for python 3
python3 -m pip install pycryptodome

# 👇️ using py alias
py -m pip install pycryptodome

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

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 pycryptodome.
3. Click on "Install Package".

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

Then select the correct Python version from the dropdown menu.

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

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python --version
python3 --version

# Install PyCryptodome (Crypto) in Anaconda

To install pycryptodome in Anaconda:

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

Alternatively, you can install the pycryptodome 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 pycryptodome package.

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# 👇️ using conda
conda install -c conda-forge pycryptodome

# 👇️ Alternatively use `pip`
pip install pycryptodome

# 👇️ for Python 3
pip3 install pycryptodome

# 👇️ if you get permissions error
sudo pip3 install pycryptodome

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

# 👇️ for python 3
python3 -m pip install pycryptodome

# 👇️ using py alias
py -m pip install pycryptodome

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

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

# Install PyCryptodome (Crypto) in Jupyter Notebook

To install pycryptodome in Jupyter Notebook:

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

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

3. Type pip install pycryptodome and press Enter.

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# 👇️ using pip
pip install pycryptodome

# 👇️ for Python 3
pip3 install pycryptodome

# 👇️ if you get permissions error
sudo pip3 install pycryptodome

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

# 👇️ for python 3
python3 -m pip install pycryptodome

# 👇️ using py alias
py -m pip install pycryptodome

# 👇️ using conda
conda install -c conda-forge pycryptodome

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

Alternatively, you can use the Python ipykernel.

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

2. Click on "New" and then click on "Python 3 (ipykernel)".

3. Type !pip install pycryptodome and click on "Run".

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

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!pip install pycryptodome

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

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

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!pip install pycryptodome --user

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