ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'dotenv' in Python

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

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

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

no module named dotenv

Open your terminal in your project's root directory and install the python-dotenv package.

shell

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

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

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

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

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

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

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c conda-forge python-dotenv

# 👇️ For Jupyter Notebook
!pip install python-dotenv

After you install the python-dotenv package, try importing it as follows.

main.py

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import os
from dotenv import load_dotenv

load_dotenv()  # take environment variables from .env.

print(os.environ.get('DOMAIN'))
print(os.environ.get('ADMIN_EMAIL'))

Make sure to add a .env file in the root directory of your project.

.env

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# Development settings
DOMAIN=example.com
ADMIN_EMAIL=admin@example.com

# Common causes of the error

The error occurs for multiple reasons:

Not having the python-dotenv package installed by running pip install python-dotenv.
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 dotenv.py which would shadow the official module.
Declaring a variable named dotenv 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 dotenv
package with pip3.10 install python-dotenv.

shell

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pip3.10 install python-dotenv

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

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-dotenv

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

# Check if the package is installed

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

shell

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# 👇️ Check if you have dotenv installed
pip show dotenv

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

The pip show python-dotenv 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-dotenv 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-dotenv 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-dotenv in your virtual environment
pip install python-dotenv

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

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

# Try reinstalling the package

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

shell

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

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

# 👇️ Uninstall python-dotenv
pip uninstall python-dotenv

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

# 👇️ Install python-dotenv
pip install python-dotenv

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

Try restarting your IDE and development server/script.

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

shell

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pip install python-dotenv --upgrade

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

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

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

import dotenv could not be resolved from source

shell

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

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

For example, In Visual Studio Code you can:

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

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

python select interpreter

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 python-dotenv 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 python-dotenv command.

shell

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pip install python-dotenv

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

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

python select interpreter

Select "Enter interpreter path...".

select enter interpreter path

Click on "Find".

click find

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

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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

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from dotenv import load_dotenv  # type: ignore

print(load_dotenv)

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, follow the operating system-specific instructions on how to install python-dotenv.

# Table of Contents

# Install python-dotenv on Windows

To install the python-dotenv module on Windows:

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

cmd

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pip install python-dotenv

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install python-dotenv

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

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

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

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

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c conda-forge python-dotenv

pip install python-dotenv windows

After you install the python-dotenv package, try importing it as follows.

main.py

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import os
from dotenv import load_dotenv

load_dotenv()  # take environment variables from .env.

print(os.environ.get('DOMAIN'))
print(os.environ.get('ADMIN_EMAIL'))

Make sure to add a .env file in the root directory of your project.

.env

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# Development settings
DOMAIN=example.com
ADMIN_EMAIL=admin@example.com

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 python-dotenv.

shell

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python -m pip install python-dotenv

python3 -m pip install python-dotenv

py -m pip install python-dotenv

Alternatively, you can install the python-dotenv 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-dotenv in your virtual environment
pip install python-dotenv

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-dotenv module is installed by using the pip show python-dotenv command.

PowerShell

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pip show python-dotenv
pip3 show python-dotenv

python -m pip show python-dotenv
python3 -m pip show python-dotenv

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

To install python-dotenv on macOS or Linux:

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

terminal

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pip install python-dotenv

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install python-dotenv

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

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

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

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

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c conda-forge python-dotenv

macos linux install python-dotenv

After you install the python-dotenv package, try importing it as follows.

main.py

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import os
from dotenv import load_dotenv

load_dotenv()  # take environment variables from .env.

print(os.environ.get('DOMAIN'))
print(os.environ.get('ADMIN_EMAIL'))

Make sure to add a .env file in the root directory of your project.

.env

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# Development settings
DOMAIN=example.com
ADMIN_EMAIL=admin@example.com

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-dotenv

python3 -m pip install python-dotenv

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

terminal

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sudo pip install python-dotenv

sudo pip3 install python-dotenv

Alternatively, you can install the python-dotenv 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-dotenv in your virtual environment
pip install python-dotenv

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-dotenv has been installed successfully.

shell

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pip show python-dotenv
pip3 show python-dotenv

python -m pip show python-dotenv
python3 -m pip show python-dotenv

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

# Install python-dotenv in Visual Studio Code

To install python-dotenv in Visual Studio Code:

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

terminal

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pip install python-dotenv

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install python-dotenv

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

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

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

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

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

vscode pip install python-dotenv

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

After you install the python-dotenv package, try importing it as follows.

main.py

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import os
from dotenv import load_dotenv

load_dotenv()  # take environment variables from .env.

print(os.environ.get('DOMAIN'))
print(os.environ.get('ADMIN_EMAIL'))

Make sure to add a .env file in the root directory of your project.

.env

Copied!
# Development settings
DOMAIN=example.com
ADMIN_EMAIL=admin@example.com

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-dotenv in your virtual environment
pip install python-dotenv

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

# Install python-dotenv in PyCharm

To install python-dotenv in PyCharm:

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

terminal

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pip install python-dotenv

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install python-dotenv

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

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

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

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

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

pycharm pip install python-dotenv

After you install the python-dotenv package, try importing it as follows.

main.py

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import os
from dotenv import load_dotenv

load_dotenv()  # take environment variables from .env.

print(os.environ.get('DOMAIN'))
print(os.environ.get('ADMIN_EMAIL'))

Make sure to add a .env file in the root directory of your project.

.env

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# Development settings
DOMAIN=example.com
ADMIN_EMAIL=admin@example.com

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-dotenv.
Click on "Install Package".

pycharm interpreter install python-dotenv

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-dotenv in Anaconda

You can install the python-dotenv 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-dotenv package.

shell

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# 👇️ Using conda
conda install -c conda-forge python-dotenv

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install python-dotenv

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

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

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

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

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

After you install the python-dotenv package, try importing it as follows.

main.py

Copied!
import os
from dotenv import load_dotenv

load_dotenv()  # take environment variables from .env.

print(os.environ.get('DOMAIN'))
print(os.environ.get('ADMIN_EMAIL'))

Make sure to add a .env file in the root directory of your project.

.env

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# Development settings
DOMAIN=example.com
ADMIN_EMAIL=admin@example.com

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

# Install python-dotenv in Jupyter Notebook

To install python-dotenv 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-dotenv and press Enter.

shell

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# 👇️ Using pip
pip install python-dotenv

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install python-dotenv

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

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

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

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

# 👇️ Using conda
conda install -c conda-forge python-dotenv

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

After you install the python-dotenv package, try importing it as follows.

main.py

Copied!
import os
from dotenv import load_dotenv

load_dotenv()  # take environment variables from .env.

print(os.environ.get('DOMAIN'))
print(os.environ.get('ADMIN_EMAIL'))

Make sure to add a .env file in the root directory of your project.

.env

Copied!
# Development settings
DOMAIN=example.com
ADMIN_EMAIL=admin@example.com

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-dotenv 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-dotenv

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

jupyter notebook install with user option

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

# Additional Resources

You can learn more about the related topics by checking out the following tutorials:

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'dotenv' in Python