ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'cryptography' - Python

# ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'cryptography' - Python

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

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

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

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# 👇️ In a virtual environment or using Python 2
pip install cryptography

# 👇️ For Python 3 (could also be pip3.10 depending on your version)
pip3 install cryptography

# 👇️ If you get a permissions error
sudo pip3 install cryptography
pip install cryptography --user

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

# 👇️ For Python 3 (could also be pip3.10 depending on your version)
python3 -m pip install cryptography

# 👇️ Using py alias (Windows)
py -m pip install cryptography

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c anaconda cryptography

# 👇️ For Jupyter Notebook
!pip install cryptography

If you also use the paramiko package, make sure to install it as well.

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# 👇️ In a virtual environment or using Python 2
pip install paramiko

# 👇️ For Python 3 (could also be pip3.10 depending on your version)
pip3 install paramiko

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c anaconda paramiko

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

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from cryptography.fernet import Fernet

key = Fernet.generate_key()

f = Fernet(key)

token = f.encrypt(b'example 123')
print(token)

# Common causes of the error

The error occurs for multiple reasons:

1. Not having the cryptography package installed by running pip install cryptography.
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 cryptography.py which would shadow the official module.
6. Declaring a variable named cryptography 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 cryptography package with pip3.10 install cryptography.

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pip3.10 install cryptography

# 👇️ If you get a permissions error use pip3 (NOT pip3.X)
sudo pip3 install cryptography

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 cryptography

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

# Check if the package is installed

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

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# 👇️ Check if you have cryptography installed
pip show cryptography

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

The pip show cryptography 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 cryptography 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 the 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 cryptography in your virtual environment
pip install cryptography

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 cryptography as that would also shadow the original module.

# Try reinstalling the package

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

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# 👇️ Check if you have cryptography installed
pip show cryptography

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

# 👇️ Uninstall cryptography
pip uninstall cryptography

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

# 👇️ Install cryptography
pip install cryptography

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

Try restarting your IDE and development server/script.

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

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pip install cryptography --upgrade

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

# Table of Contents

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

# Install Cryptography on Windows

To install the cryptography module on Windows:

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

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pip install cryptography

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install cryptography

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install cryptography

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install cryptography

# 👇️ If you get a permissions error
pip install cryptography --user

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c anaconda cryptography

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 cryptography.

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python -m pip install cryptography

python3 -m pip install cryptography

py -m pip install cryptography

If you also use the paramiko package, make sure to install it as well.

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pip install paramiko
pip3 install paramiko

python -m pip install paramiko
python3 -m pip install paramiko

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c anaconda paramiko

Alternatively, you can install the cryptography 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 cryptography in your virtual environment
pip install cryptography

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 cryptography
pip3 show cryptography

python -m pip show cryptography
python3 -m pip show cryptography

The pip show cryptography 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 Cryptography on macOS or Linux

To install cryptography on macOS or Linux:

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

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pip install cryptography

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install cryptography

# 👇️ If you get a permissions error
sudo pip3 install cryptography

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install cryptography

# 👇️ Alternative if you get a permissions error
pip install cryptography --user

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c anaconda cryptography

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

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python -m pip install cryptography

python3 -m pip install cryptography

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

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sudo pip install cryptography

sudo pip3 install cryptography

If you also use the paramiko package, make sure to install it as well.

Copied!
pip install paramiko
pip3 install paramiko

python -m pip install paramiko
python3 -m pip install paramiko

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c anaconda paramiko

Alternatively, you can install the cryptography 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 cryptography in your virtual environment
pip install cryptography

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

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

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pip show cryptography
pip3 show cryptography

python -m pip show cryptography
python3 -m pip show cryptography

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

# Install cryptography in Visual Studio Code

To install cryptography in Visual Studio Code:

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

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pip install cryptography

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install cryptography

# 👇️ If you get a permissions error
sudo pip3 install cryptography

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install cryptography

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install cryptography

# 👇️ Alternative if you get a permissions error
pip install cryptography --user

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.

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

If you also use the paramiko package, make sure to install it as well.

Copied!
pip install paramiko
pip3 install paramiko

python -m pip install paramiko
python3 -m pip install paramiko

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c anaconda paramiko

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 cryptography in your virtual environment
pip install cryptography

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

# Install cryptography in PyCharm

To install cryptography in PyCharm:

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

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pip install cryptography

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install cryptography

# 👇️ If you get a permissions error
sudo pip3 install cryptography

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install cryptography

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install cryptography

# 👇️ Alternative if you get a permissions error
pip install cryptography --user

If you also use the paramiko package, make sure to install it as well.

Copied!
pip install paramiko
pip3 install paramiko

python -m pip install paramiko
python3 -m pip install paramiko

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c anaconda paramiko

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 cryptography.
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 Cryptography in Anaconda

To install cryptography in Anaconda:

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

Alternatively, you can install the cryptography 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 cryptography package.

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# 👇️ Using conda
conda install -c anaconda cryptography

# 👇️ Alternatively use `pip`
pip install cryptography

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install cryptography

# 👇️ If you get a permissions error
sudo pip3 install cryptography

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install cryptography

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install cryptography

# 👇️ Alternative if you get a permissions error
pip install cryptography --user

If you also use the paramiko package, make sure to install it as well.

Copied!
pip install paramiko
pip3 install paramiko

python -m pip install paramiko
python3 -m pip install paramiko

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c anaconda paramiko

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

# Install cryptography in Jupyter Notebook

To install cryptography 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 cryptography and press Enter.

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# 👇️ Using pip
pip install cryptography

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install cryptography

# 👇️ If you get a permissions error
sudo pip3 install cryptography

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install cryptography

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install cryptography

# 👇️ Using conda
conda install -c anaconda cryptography

# 👇️ Alternative if you get a permissions error
pip install cryptography --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 cryptography 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 cryptography

Once you type the command, click "Run" to install the cryptography 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 cryptography --user

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

If you also use the paramiko package, make sure to install it as well.

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pip install paramiko
pip3 install paramiko

python -m pip install paramiko
python3 -m pip install paramiko

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c anaconda paramiko