ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'django' in Python

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c anaconda django

# 👇️ For Jupyter Notebook
!pip install Django

After you install the Django package, you should be able to import and use it.

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import django

print(django.__version__)

# Common causes of the error

The error occurs for multiple reasons:

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

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pip3.10 install Django

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

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 Django

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

# Check if the package is installed

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

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# 👇️ Check if you have Django installed
pip show Django

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

The pip show Django 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 Django 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 Django in your virtual environment
pip install Django

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 django as that would also shadow the original module.

# Try reinstalling the package

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

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# 👇️ Check if you have Django installed
pip show Django

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

# 👇️ Uninstall Django
pip uninstall Django

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

# 👇️ Install Django
pip install Django

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

Try restarting your IDE and development server/script.

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

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pip install Django --upgrade

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

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

The error "Import "django" could not be resolved from source Pylance" occurs when the django 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 django and select the correct Python interpreter in your IDE.

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Import "django" could not be resolved from source Pylance(reportMissingModuleSource) [Ln 1, Col 8]
Import "django.contrib" could not be resolved from source Pylance(reportMissingModuleSource) [Ln 2, 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 django 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 (⌘ + Shift + P on macOS) to open the command palette.

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

2. Select the correct Python version from the dropdown menu.

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 django module.

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

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

Run the pip install django command.

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pip install django

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

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

3. Select "Enter interpreter path...".

4. Click on "Find".

5. 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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where python

python -c "import sys; print(sys.executable)"

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.

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import django  # type: ignore

print(django)

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.