ModuleNotFoundError No module named 'transformers' [Fixed]

# ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'transformers' - Python

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

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

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

Copied!
# 👇️ In a virtual environment or using Python 2
pip install transformers

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

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

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

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

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

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

# 👇️ For Jupyter Notebook
!pip install transformers

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

Copied!
from transformers import pipeline

classifier = pipeline('sentiment-analysis')

print(classifier('We are very happy to introduce pipeline to the transformers repository.'))

# Common causes of the error

The error occurs for multiple reasons:

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

Copied!
python --version

For example, my Python version is 3.10.4, so I would install the transformers package with pip3.10 install transformers.

Copied!
pip3.10 install transformers

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

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:

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

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 transformers package installed by running the pip show transformers command.

Copied!
# 👇️ Check if you have transformers installed
pip show transformers

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

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

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

Copied!
# 👇️ 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 transformers in your virtual environment
pip install transformers

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.

# Try reinstalling the package

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

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

Copied!
# 👇️ Check if you have transformers installed
pip show transformers

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

# 👇️ Uninstall transformers
pip uninstall transformers

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

# 👇️ Install transformers
pip install transformers

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

Try restarting your IDE and development server/script.

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

Copied!
pip install transformers --upgrade

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

# Table of Contents

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

# Install transformers on Windows

To install the transformers module on Windows:

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

Copied!
pip install transformers

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install transformers

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install transformers

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install transformers

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

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

If the command doesn't succeed, try running CMD as an administrator.

If you get the error 'pip' is not recognized as an internal or external command, use the python -m command when installing transformers.

Copied!
python -m pip install transformers

python3 -m pip install transformers

py -m pip install transformers

Alternatively, you can install the transformers module in a virtual environment:

1. Open the root directory of your project.
2. Press Shift and right-click in Explorer.

3. Click on "Open PowerShell window here".
4. Run the following commands.

Copied!
# 👇️ 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 transformers in your virtual environment
pip install transformers

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.

Copied!
Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser

Copied!
pip show transformers
pip3 show transformers

python -m pip show transformers
python3 -m pip show transformers

The pip show transformers 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 transformers on macOS or Linux

To install transformers on macOS or Linux:

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

Copied!
pip install transformers

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install transformers

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

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install transformers

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

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

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

Copied!
python -m pip install transformers

python3 -m pip install transformers

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

Copied!
sudo pip install transformers

sudo pip3 install transformers

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

1. Open your terminal in the root directory of your project.
2. Run the following commands.

Copied!
# 👇️ Could also be "python -m venv venv"
python3 -m venv venv

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

# 👇️ Install transformers in your virtual environment
pip install transformers

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

You can use the pip show command to verify transformers has been installed successfully.

Copied!
pip show transformers
pip3 show transformers

python -m pip show transformers
python3 -m pip show transformers

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

# Install transformers in Visual Studio Code

To install transformers in Visual Studio Code:

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

Copied!
pip install transformers

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install transformers

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

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install transformers

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install transformers

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

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.

Then Select the correct Python version from the dropdown menu.

You can use the python --version command if you need to get your version of Python.

Copied!
python --version
python3 --version

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

Copied!
# 👇️ 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 transformers in your virtual environment
pip install transformers

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

# Install transformers in PyCharm

To install transformers in PyCharm:

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

Copied!
pip install transformers

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install transformers

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

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install transformers

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install transformers

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

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 transformers.
3. Click on "Install Package".

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

Then Select the correct Python version from the dropdown menu.

You can use the python --version command if you need to get your version of Python.

Copied!
python --version
python3 --version

# Install transformers in Anaconda

To install transformers in Anaconda:

1. Open your Anaconda Navigator.
2. Click on "Environments" and select your project.
3. Type transformers in the search bar to the right.
4. Tick the transformers package and click on "Apply".

Alternatively, you can install the transformers 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 transformers package.

Copied!
# 👇️ Using conda
conda install -c conda-forge transformers

# 👇️ Alternatively use `pip`
pip install transformers

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install transformers

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

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install transformers

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install transformers

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

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

# Install transformers in Jupyter Notebook

To install transformers in Jupyter Notebook:

1. Open your terminal and type "jupyter notebook".

2. Click on "New" and then "Terminal" in the browser tab.

3. Type pip install transformers and press Enter.

Copied!
# 👇️ Using pip
pip install transformers

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install transformers

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

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install transformers

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install transformers

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

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

Alternatively, you can use the Python ipykernel.

1. Open your terminal and type "jupyter notebook".

2. Click on "New" and then click on "Python 3 (ipykernel)".

3. Type !pip install transformers and click on "Run".

Note that the pip install command must be prefixed with an exclamation mark if you use this approach.

Copied!
!pip install transformers

Once you type the command, click "Run" to install the transformers module.

If you get a permissions error, e.g. "[WinError: 5] Access is denied", add the --user option to the installation command.

Copied!
!pip install transformers --user

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