ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'dateutil' in Python

# "ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'dateutil' in Python"

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

To solve the error, install the module by running the pip install python-dateutil command.

no module named dateutil

Open your terminal in your project's root directory and install the python-dateutil module.

shell

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# 👇️ In a virtual environment or using Python 2
pip install python-dateutil

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

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

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

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

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

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c anaconda python-dateutil

# 👇️ For Jupyter Notebook
!pip install python-dateutil

After you install the python-dateutil package, try importing it like:

main.py

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from dateutil.parser import parse, parserinfo

class CustomParserInfo(parserinfo):
    AMPM = [("am", "a", "xm"), ("pm", "p")]

print(parse('2023-09-24 12:09:30 XM', parserinfo=CustomParserInfo()))

# Common causes of the error

The error occurs for multiple reasons:

Not having the python-dateutil package installed by running pip install python-dateutil.
Installing the package in a different Python version than the one you're using.
Installing the package globally and not in your virtual environment.
Your IDE running an incorrect version of Python.
Naming your module dateutil.py which would shadow the official module.
Declaring a variable named dateutil 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

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python --version

get python version

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

shell

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pip3.10 install python-dateutil

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

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

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# 👇️ Make sure to use your version of Python, e.g. 3.10
python3 -m pip install python-dateutil

If the error persists, try restarting your IDE and development server/script.

# Check if the package is installed

You can check if you have the python-dateutil package installed by running the pip show python-dateutil command.

shell

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# 👇️ Check if you have python-dateutil installed
pip show python-dateutil

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

The pip show python-dateutil 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 python-dateutil 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 python-dateutil in your virtual environment and not globally.

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

shell

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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 python-dateutil in your virtual environment
pip install python-dateutil

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 dateutil.py because that would shadow the original dateutil module.

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

# Try reinstalling the package

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

shell

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# 👇️ Check if you have python-dateutil installed
pip show python-dateutil

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

# 👇️ Uninstall python-dateutil
pip uninstall python-dateutil

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

# 👇️ Install python-dateutil
pip install python-dateutil

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

Try restarting your IDE and development server/script.

You can also try to upgrade the version of the python-dateutil package.

shell

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pip install python-dateutil --upgrade

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

If the error persists, follow the operating system-specific instructions on how to install python-dateutil.

# Table of Contents

# Install python-dateutil on Windows

To install the python-dateutil module on Windows:

Type CMD in the search bar and open the Command Prompt application.
Type pip install python-dateutil and press Enter.

cmd

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pip install python-dateutil

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install python-dateutil

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install python-dateutil

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install python-dateutil

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

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c anaconda python-dateutil

pip install python-dateutil windows

If the 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 python-dateutil.

shell

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python -m pip install python-dateutil

python3 -m pip install python-dateutil

py -m pip install python-dateutil

Alternatively, you can install the python-dateutil module in a virtual environment:

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

windows open powershell window here

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

PowerShell

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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 `python-dateutil` in your virtual environment
pip install python-dateutil

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

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Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser

You can verify that the python-dateutil module is installed by using the pip show python-dateutil command.

PowerShell

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pip show python-dateutil
pip3 show python-dateutil

python -m pip show python-dateutil
python3 -m pip show python-dateutil

The pip show python-dateutil 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 python-dateutil on macOS or Linux

To install python-dateutil on macOS or Linux:

Search for "terminal" and start the application.
Type pip install python-dateutil and press Enter.

terminal

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pip install python-dateutil

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install python-dateutil

# 👇️ If you get a permissions error
sudo pip3 install python-dateutil

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install python-dateutil

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

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c anaconda python-dateutil

macos linux install python-dateutil

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

terminal

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python -m pip install python-dateutil

python3 -m pip install python-dateutil

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

terminal

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sudo pip install python-dateutil

sudo pip3 install python-dateutil

Alternatively, you can install the python-dateutil package in a virtual environment:

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

shell

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# 👇️ Could also be "python -m venv venv"
python3 -m venv venv

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

# 👇️ Install python-dateutil in your virtual environment
pip install python-dateutil

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 python-dateutil has been installed successfully.

shell

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pip show python-dateutil
pip3 show python-dateutil

python -m pip show python-dateutil
python3 -m pip show python-dateutil

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

# Install python-dateutil in Visual Studio Code

To install python-dateutil in Visual Studio Code:

Press CTRL + ` (Backtick) on your keyboard to open the terminal.
Run the pip install python-dateutil command to install the python-dateutil module.

terminal

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pip install python-dateutil

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install python-dateutil

# 👇️ If you get a permissions error
sudo pip3 install python-dateutil

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install python-dateutil

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install python-dateutil

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

vscode pip install python-dateutil

You can also open the terminal in Visual Studio Code by pressing CTRL+Shift+P and then type "View: Toggle Terminal".

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

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python --version
python3 --version

get python version

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

terminal

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# 👇️ 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 python-dateutil in your virtual environment
pip install python-dateutil

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

# Install python-dateutil in PyCharm

To install python-dateutil in PyCharm:

Press Alt+F12 on your keyboard to open the terminal.
Run the pip install python-dateutil command to install the python-dateutil module.

terminal

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pip install python-dateutil

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install python-dateutil

# 👇️ If you get a permissions error
sudo pip3 install python-dateutil

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install python-dateutil

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install python-dateutil

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

pycharm pip install python-dateutil

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

Click on "File" > "Settings" > "Project" > "Python Interpreter".
Click on the + icon and type python-dateutil.
Click on "Install Package".

pycharm interpreter install python-dateutil

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

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python --version
python3 --version

get python version

# Install python-dateutil in Anaconda

To install python-dateutil in Anaconda:

Open your Anaconda Navigator.
Click on "Environments" and select your project.
Type python-dateutil in the search bar to the right.
Tick the python-dateutil package and click on "Apply".

anaconda navigator install package

Alternatively, you can install the python-dateutil 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 python-dateutil package.

shell

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# 👇️ Using conda
conda install -c anaconda python-dateutil

# 👇️ Alternatively use `pip`
pip install python-dateutil

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install python-dateutil

# 👇️ If you get a permissions error
sudo pip3 install python-dateutil

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install python-dateutil

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install python-dateutil

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

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

# Install python-dateutil in Jupyter Notebook

To install python-dateutil in Jupyter Notebook:

Open your terminal and type "jupyter notebook".

open jupyter notebook

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

jupyter notebook click new terminal

Type pip install python-dateutil and press Enter.

shell

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# 👇️ Using pip
pip install python-dateutil

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install python-dateutil

# 👇️ If you get a permissions error
sudo pip3 install python-dateutil

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install python-dateutil

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install python-dateutil

# 👇️ Using conda
conda install -c anaconda python-dateutil

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

Alternatively, you can use the Python ipykernel.

Open your terminal and type "jupyter notebook".

open jupyter notebook

Click on "New" and then click on "Python 3 (ipykernel)".
Type !pip install python-dateutil 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

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!pip install python-dateutil

Once you type the command, click "Run" to install the python-dateutil module.

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

shell

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!pip install python-dateutil --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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ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'dateutil' in Python