ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'scipy' in Python

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'scipy' in Python #

The Python "ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'scipy'" occurs when we forget to install the scipy module before importing it or install it in an incorrect environment. To solve the error, install the module by running the pip install scipy command.

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

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# 👇️ in a virtual environment or using Python 2
pip install scipy

# 👇️ for python 3 (could also be pip3.10 depending on your version)
pip3 install scipy

# 👇️ if you get permissions error
sudo pip3 install scipy

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

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

# 👇️ for Anaconda
conda install -c anaconda scipy

After you install the scipy package, try importing it like:

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from scipy import stats

from scipy.stats import norm

print(dir(stats))

print('bounds of distribution lower: %s, upper: %s' % norm.support())

The Python error "ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'scipy'" occurs for multiple reasons:

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

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pip3.10 install scipy

# 👇️ if you get permissions error use pip3 (NOT pip3.X)
sudo pip3 install scipy

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 scipy

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

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

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# 👇️ check if you have scipy installed
pip3 show scipy

# 👇️ if you don't have pip setup in PATH
python3 -m pip show scipy

The pip show scipy 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.

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 drop down menu.

If you are using a virtual environment, make sure you are installing scipy 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 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 scipy in virtual environment
pip install scipy

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

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

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

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# 👇️ check if you have scipy installed
pip3 show scipy

# 👇️ if you don't have pip setup in PATH
python3 -m pip show scipy

# 👇️ uninstall scipy
pip3 uninstall scipy

# 👇️ if you don't have pip setup in PATH
python3 -m pip uninstall scipy

# 👇️ install scipy
pip3 install scipy

# 👇️ if you don't have pip setup in PATH
python3 -m pip install scipy

Try restarting your IDE and development server / script.

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

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pip3 install scipy --upgrade

# 👇️ if you don't have pip setup in PATH
python3 -m pip install scipy --upgrade

This one is for using using virtual environments (VENV) on Windows:

This one is for using using virtual environments (VENV) on MacOS and Linux: