ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'discord' in Python

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Borislav Hadzhiev

Last updated: Apr 9, 2024
14 min

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# ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'discord' in Python

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

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

modulenotfounderror no module named discord

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

shell
# ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ In a virtual environment or using Python 2 pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ For Python 3 (could also be pip3.10 depending on your version) pip3 install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ If you get a permissions error sudo pip3 install discord.py pip install discord.py --user # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ If you don't have pip in your PATH environment variable python -m pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ For Python 3 (could also be pip3.10 depending on your version) python3 -m pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Using py alias (Windows) py -m pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ For Anaconda conda install -c conda-forge discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ For Jupyter Notebook !pip install discord.py

If you need to get voice support, use discord.py[voice] instead of discord.py.

shell
pip install "discord.py[voice]" # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ For Python 3 (could also be pip3.10 depending on your version) pip3 install "discord.py[voice]" # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ If you get a permissions error sudo pip3 install "discord.py[voice]" # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ If you don't have pip in your PATH environment variable python -m pip install "discord.py[voice]" # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ For Python 3 (could also be pip3.10 depending on your version) python3 -m pip install "discord.py[voice]" # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Using py alias (Windows) py -m pip install "discord.py[voice]"

If you are on Linux, you have to install the prerequisites before installing discord.py[voice].

shell
sudo apt install libffi-dev libnacl-dev python3-dev

# Common causes of the error

The error occurs for multiple reasons:

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

shell
pip3.10 install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ If you get a permissions error use pip3 (NOT pip3.X) sudo pip3 install discord.py

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
# ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Make sure to use your version of Python, e.g. 3.10 python3 -m pip install discord.py

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 discord.py package installed by running the pip show discord.py command.

shell
# ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Check if you have discord.py installed pip show discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ If you don't have pip set up in PATH python -m pip show discord.py

The pip show discord.py 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 discord.py 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 (โŒ˜ + 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 discord.py in your virtual environment and not globally.

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

shell
# ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Use the correct version of Python when creating VENV python3 -m venv venv # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Activate on Unix or MacOS source venv/bin/activate # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Activate on Windows (cmd.exe) venv\Scripts\activate.bat # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Activate on Windows (PowerShell) venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1 # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Install discord.py in your virtual environment pip install discord.py

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

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

# Try reinstalling the package

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

shell
# ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Check if you have discord.py installed pip show discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ If you don't have pip set up in PATH python -m pip show discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Uninstall discord.py pip uninstall discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ If you don't have pip set up in PATH python -m pip uninstall discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Install discord.py pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ If you don't have pip set up in PATH python -m pip install discord.py

Try restarting your IDE and development server/script.

You can also try to upgrade the version of the discord.py package.

shell
pip install discord.py --upgrade # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ If you don't have pip set up in PATH python -m pip install discord.py --upgrade

# Import "discord" could not be resolved from source Pylance

The error "Import "discord" could not be resolved from source Pylance" occurs when the discord.py module is not installed or you have selected the incorrect Python interpreter in your IDE (e.g. Visual Studio Code).

To solve the error, install discord.py and select the correct Python interpreter in your IDE.

import discord could not be resolved from source

shell
Import "discord" could not be resolved from source Pylance(reportMissingModuleSource) [Ln 1, Col 8]

# Make sure the correct Python interpreter is selected in your IDE

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

For example, In Visual Studio Code you can:

  1. Press CTRL + Shift + P or (โŒ˜ + Shift + P on macOS) to open the command palette.

Then type "Python select interpreter" in the search field.

python select interpreter

  1. 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.

If the error persists, try restarting your IDE and development server/script. VSCode often glitches and a reboot resolves the issue.

If the error is not resolved, try to use the Visual Studio Code terminal to install the discord.py module.

You can press CTRL + ` (Backtick) on your keyboard to open the Visual Studio code terminal.

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

open vscode terminal

Once you open the terminal, Visual Studio Code will automatically activate your virtual environment (if you have one).

Run the pip install discord.py command.

shell
pip install discord.py

If the error persists, try to select the Python interpreter by specifying the path:

  1. Press CTRL + Shift + P or (โŒ˜ + Shift + P on Mac) to open the command palette.
  2. Type "Python select interpreter" in the field.

python select interpreter

  1. Select "Enter interpreter path...".

select enter interpreter path

  1. Click on "Find".

click find

  1. In the window that opens, navigate to your Python executable:
  • If you have a virtual environment on Windows, click on your venv folder, then double-click on the Scripts folder, select the python.exe file and then Select interpreter.

windows specify path to interpreter

  • If you have a virtual environment on macOS or Linux, click on your venv folder, then double-click on the bin folder, select the python file and then Select interpreter.

macos linux specify path to interpreter

  • If you don't have a virtual environment, use one of the following commands to get your path to your python.exe or python executable, specify the path to the file and select the executable.
cmd
where python python -c "import sys; print(sys.executable)"

find python path

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

# Alternatively, use a comment to disable the warning

If none of the suggestions helped, you can use a comment to disable the Pylance warning in your IDE.

main.py
import discord # type: ignore print(discord)

You simply have to add the # type: ignore command on the same line as the import statement to disable the check for the specific import.

If the error persists, I would suggest watching a quick video on how to use Virtual environments in Python.

# Table of Contents

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

# Install discord.py on Windows

To install the discord.py module on Windows:

  1. Type CMD in the search bar and open the Command Prompt application.
  2. Type pip install discord.py and press Enter.
cmd
pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ For Python 3 pip3 install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ If you don't have pip in your PATH environment variable python -m pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ For Python 3 python3 -m pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Using py alias py -m pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ If you get a permissions error pip install discord.py --user # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ For Anaconda conda install -c conda-forge discord.py

pip install discord-py windows

If you need to get voice support, use discord.py[voice] instead of discord.py.

shell
pip install "discord.py[voice]" pip3 install "discord.py[voice]" python -m pip install "discord.py[voice]" python3 -m pip install "discord.py[voice]" py -m pip install "discord.py[voice]" pip install "discord.py[voice]" --user

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 discord.py.

shell
python -m pip install discord.py python3 -m pip install discord.py py -m pip install discord.py

Alternatively, you can install the discord.py 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
# ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Might also be: "python3 -m venv venv" python -m venv venv # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Activate on Windows (PowerShell) venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1 # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Activate on Windows (cmd.exe) venv\Scripts\activate.bat # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Install discord.py in your virtual environment pip install discord.py

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 discord.py module is installed by using the pip show discord.py command.
PowerShell
pip show discord.py pip3 show discord.py python -m pip show discord.py python3 -m pip show discord.py

The pip show discord.py 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 discord.py on macOS or Linux

To install discord.py on macOS or Linux:

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

search for terminal

terminal
pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ For Python 3 pip3 install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ If you get a permissions error sudo pip3 install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ If you don't have pip in your PATH environment variable python -m pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ For Python 3 python3 -m pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Alternative if you get a permissions error pip install discord.py --user # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ For Anaconda conda install -c conda-forge discord.py

macos linux install discord-py

If you need to get voice support, use discord.py[voice] instead of discord.py.

shell
pip install "discord.py[voice]" pip3 install "discord.py[voice]" sudo pip3 install "discord.py[voice]" pip install "discord.py[voice]" --user python -m pip install "discord.py[voice]" python3 -m pip install "discord.py[voice]"

If you are on Linux, you have to install the prerequisites before installing discord.py[voice].

shell
sudo apt install libffi-dev libnacl-dev python3-dev

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

terminal
python -m pip install discord.py python3 -m pip install discord.py

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

terminal
sudo pip install discord.py sudo pip3 install discord.py

Alternatively, you can install the discord.py package in a virtual environment:

  1. Open your terminal in the root directory of your project.
  2. Run the following commands.
shell
# ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Could also be "python -m venv venv" python3 -m venv venv # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Activate virtual env on macOS or Linux source venv/bin/activate # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Install discord.py in your virtual environment pip install discord.py

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 discord.py has been installed successfully.

shell
pip show discord.py pip3 show discord.py python -m pip show discord.py python3 -m pip show discord.py

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

# Install discord.py in Visual Studio Code

To install discord.py in Visual Studio Code:

  1. Press CTRL + ` (Backtick) on your keyboard to open the terminal.
  2. Run the pip install discord.py command to install the discord.py module.
terminal
pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ For Python 3 pip3 install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ If you get a permissions error sudo pip3 install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ If you don't have pip in your PATH environment variable python -m pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ For Python 3 python3 -m pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Using py alias py -m pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Alternative if you get a permissions error pip install discord.py --user

vscode pip install discord-py

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

If you need to get voice support, use discord.py[voice] instead of discord.py.

shell
pip install "discord.py[voice]" pip3 install "discord.py[voice]" sudo pip3 install "discord.py[voice]" pip install "discord.py[voice]" --user python -m pip install "discord.py[voice]" python3 -m pip install "discord.py[voice]" py -m pip install "discord.py[voice]"

If you are on Linux, you have to install the prerequisites before installing discord.py[voice].

shell
sudo apt install libffi-dev libnacl-dev python3-dev

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 (โŒ˜ + 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
# ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Could also be "python -m venv venv" or "py -m venv venv" python3 -m venv venv # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Activate on Unix or MacOS source venv/bin/activate # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Activate on Windows (cmd.exe) venv\Scripts\activate.bat # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Activate on Windows (PowerShell) venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1 # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Install discord.py in your virtual environment pip install discord.py

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

# Install discord.py in PyCharm

To install discord.py in PyCharm:

  1. Press Alt+F12 on your keyboard to open the terminal.
  2. Run the pip install discord.py command to install the discord.py module.
terminal
pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ For Python 3 pip3 install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ If you get a permissions error sudo pip3 install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ If you don't have pip in your PATH environment variable python -m pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ For Python 3 python3 -m pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Using py alias py -m pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Alternative if you get a permissions error pip install discord.py --user

pycharm pip install discord-py

If you need to get voice support, use discord.py[voice] instead of discord.py.

shell
pip install "discord.py[voice]" pip3 install "discord.py[voice]" sudo pip3 install "discord.py[voice]" pip install "discord.py[voice]" --user python -m pip install "discord.py[voice]" python3 -m pip install "discord.py[voice]" py -m pip install "discord.py[voice]"

If you are on Linux, you have to install the prerequisites before installing discord.py[voice].

shell
sudo apt install libffi-dev libnacl-dev python3-dev

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 discord.py.
  3. Click on "Install Package".

pycharm interpreter install discord-py

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 discord.py in Anaconda

You can install the discord.py 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 discord.py package.

shell
# ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Using conda conda install -c conda-forge discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Alternatively use `pip` pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ For Python 3 pip3 install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ If you get a permissions error sudo pip3 install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ If you don't have pip in your PATH environment variable python -m pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ For Python 3 python3 -m pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Using py alias py -m pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Alternative if you get a permissions error pip install discord.py --user

If you need to get voice support, use discord.py[voice] instead of discord.py.

shell
pip install "discord.py[voice]" pip3 install "discord.py[voice]" sudo pip3 install "discord.py[voice]" pip install "discord.py[voice]" --user python -m pip install "discord.py[voice]" python3 -m pip install "discord.py[voice]" py -m pip install "discord.py[voice]"

If you are on Linux, you have to install the prerequisites before installing discord.py[voice].

shell
sudo apt install libffi-dev libnacl-dev python3-dev

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

# Install discord.py in Jupyter Notebook

To install discord.py 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 discord.py and press Enter.
shell
# ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Using pip pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ For Python 3 pip3 install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ If you get a permissions error sudo pip3 install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ If you don't have pip in your PATH environment variable python -m pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ For Python 3 python3 -m pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Using py alias py -m pip install discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Using conda conda install -c conda-forge discord.py # ๐Ÿ‘‡๏ธ Alternative if you get a permissions error pip install discord.py --user

If you need to get voice support, use discord.py[voice] instead of discord.py.

shell
pip install "discord.py[voice]" pip3 install "discord.py[voice]" sudo pip3 install "discord.py[voice]" pip install "discord.py[voice]" --user python -m pip install "discord.py[voice]" python3 -m pip install "discord.py[voice]" py -m pip install "discord.py[voice]"

If you are on Linux, you have to install the prerequisites before installing discord.py[voice].

shell
sudo apt install libffi-dev libnacl-dev python3-dev

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 discord.py 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 discord.py

Once you type the command, click "Run" to install the discord.py 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 discord.py --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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Copyright ยฉ 2024 Borislav Hadzhiev