ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'openai' in Python

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Borislav Hadzhiev

Last updated: Apr 10, 2024
13 min

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# ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'openai' in Python

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

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

no module named openai

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

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

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

If pip is not set in your PATH environment variable, try using the -m option when issuing the command.

shell
# 👇️ If pip is not in your PATH env variable
python -m pip install openai

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

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

If you get a permissions error, try issuing the following command instead.

shell
# If you get a permissions error (outside a virtual environment)
pip install openai --user

If you get a permissions error on Windows, you can also right-click on CMD and start the application as an administrator and rerun the command.

If you get a permissions error on macOS or Linux, try prefixing the installation command with sudo.

shell
# If you get a permissions error on macOS or Linux
# Could also be (pip3.10 depending on your version)
sudo pip3 install openai

If you use Anaconda, install the openai package using the following conda-forge channel.

shell
# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c conda-forge openai

If you use Jupyter Notebook, run the following command to install the package.

shell
# 👇️ For Jupyter Notebook
!pip install openai

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

main.py
import os
import openai

openai.organization = "YOUR_ORG_ID"
openai.api_key = os.getenv("OPENAI_API_KEY")
openai.Model.list()

Make sure to replace the placeholders with the actual values.

If the error persists, upgrade your version of pip before installing openai.

shell
python -m ensurepip --upgrade

# 👇️ Or using python 3 (for macOS and Linux)
python3 -m ensurepip --upgrade

# 👇️ Using py alias (On Windows)
py -m ensurepip --upgrade

After you run the command and upgrade your pip version, rerun the openai installation command from the code sample above.

If you encounter issues upgrading your pip version, check out the following article.

You can view the optional dependencies of the openai module and how to import it and use it in the package's pypi page.

After you install the module, you can also use the openai command line utility.

shell
# Using the `openai` command line utility
openai api -h

You can also check:

# Common reasons the error occurs

The error occurs for multiple reasons:

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

shell
pip3.10 install openai

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

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

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 openai package installed by running the pip show openai command.

shell
# 👇️ Check if you have `openai` installed
pip show openai

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

The pip show openai 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 openai 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 openai in your virtual environment and not globally.

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

shell
# 👇️ Use the correct version of Python when creating VENV
python -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 `openai` in your virtual environment
pip install openai

If the python -m venv venv command doesn't work, try the following 2 commands:

  • python3 -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 openai.py because that would shadow the original openai module.

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

# Try reinstalling the package

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

shell
# 👇️ Check if you have `openai` installed

pip show openai

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

# 👇️ Uninstall openai
pip uninstall openai

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

# 👇️ Install openai
pip install openai

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

Try restarting your IDE and development server/script.

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

shell
pip install openai --upgrade

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

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

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

import openai could not be resolved from source

shell
Unable to import 'openai' pylint(import-error) [Ln 2, Col 1]
Import "openai" 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 openai 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.

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 openai 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 openai command.

shell
pip install openai

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.

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 openai  # type: ignore

print(openai)

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 openai.

# Table of Contents

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

# Install openai on Windows

To install the openai module on Windows:

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install openai

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install openai

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install openai

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

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c conda-forge openai

pip install openai 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 openai.

shell
python -m pip install openai

python3 -m pip install openai

py -m pip install openai

Alternatively, you can install the openai 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
# 👇️ 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 `openai` in your virtual environment
pip install openai

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 openai module is installed by using the pip show openai command.
PowerShell
pip show openai
pip3 show openai

python -m pip show openai
python3 -m pip show openai

The pip show openai 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 openai on macOS or Linux

To install openai on macOS or Linux:

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

search for terminal

terminal
pip install openai

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install openai

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

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install openai

# 👇️ alternative if you get a permissions error
pip install openai --user

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c conda-forge openai

macos linux install openai

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

terminal
python -m pip install openai

python3 -m pip install openai

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

terminal
sudo pip install openai

sudo pip3 install openai

Alternatively, you can install the openai package in a virtual environment:

  1. Open your terminal in the root directory of your project.
  2. Run the following commands.
shell
# 👇️ Could also be "python -m venv venv"
python3 -m venv venv

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

# 👇️ Install openai in a virtual environment
pip install openai

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 openai has been installed successfully.

shell
pip show openai
pip3 show openai

python -m pip show openai
python3 -m pip show openai

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

# Install openai in Visual Studio Code

To install openai in Visual Studio Code:

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install openai

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

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install openai

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install openai

# 👇️ alternative if you get a permissions error
pip install openai --user

vscode pip install openai

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
python --version
python3 --version

get python version

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

terminal
# 👇️ 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 openai in a virtual environment
pip install openai

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

# Install openai in PyCharm

To install openai in PyCharm:

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install openai

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

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install openai

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install openai

# 👇️ alternative if you get a permissions error
pip install openai --user

pycharm pip install openai

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

  1. Click on "File" > "Settings" > "Project" > "Python Interpreter".

pycharm interpreter install openai

  1. Click on the + icon and type openai.

  2. Click on "Install Package".

install openai pycharm

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 openai in Anaconda

You can install the openai package with a command when using Anaconda.

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 openai package.

shell
# 👇️ Using conda
conda install -c conda-forge openai

# 👇️ Alternatively use `pip`
pip install openai

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install openai

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

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install openai

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install openai

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

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

# Install openai in Jupyter Notebook

To install openai 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 openai and press Enter.
shell
# 👇️ Using pip
pip install openai

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install openai

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

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install openai

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install openai

# 👇️ Using conda
conda install -c conda-forge openai

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

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 openai 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 openai

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