July 2018 Update

Most people should now use pip install setuptools (possibly with sudo).

Some may need to (re)install the python-setuptools package via their package manager (apt-get install, yum install, etc.).

This issue can be highly dependent on your OS and dev environment. See the legacy/other answers below if the above isn't working for you.

Explanation

This error message is caused by a missing/broken Python setuptools package. Per Matt M.'s comment and setuptools issue #581, the bootstrap script referred to below is no longer the recommended installation method.

The bootstrap script instructions will remain below, in case it's still helpful to anyone.

Legacy Answer

I encountered the same ImportError today while trying to use pip. Somehow the setuptools package had been deleted in my Python environment.

To fix the issue, run the setup script for setuptools:

wget https://bootstrap.pypa.io/ez_setup.py -O - | python

(or if you don't have wget installed (e.g. OS X), try

curl https://bootstrap.pypa.io/ez_setup.py | python

possibly with sudo prepended.)

If you have any version of distribute, or any setuptools below 0.6, you will have to uninstall it first.*

See Installation Instructions for further details.


* If you already have a working distribute, upgrading it to the "compatibility wrapper" that switches you over to setuptools is easier. But if things are already broken, don't try that.

Answer from cwc on Stack Overflow
Top answer
1 of 16
983

July 2018 Update

Most people should now use pip install setuptools (possibly with sudo).

Some may need to (re)install the python-setuptools package via their package manager (apt-get install, yum install, etc.).

This issue can be highly dependent on your OS and dev environment. See the legacy/other answers below if the above isn't working for you.

Explanation

This error message is caused by a missing/broken Python setuptools package. Per Matt M.'s comment and setuptools issue #581, the bootstrap script referred to below is no longer the recommended installation method.

The bootstrap script instructions will remain below, in case it's still helpful to anyone.

Legacy Answer

I encountered the same ImportError today while trying to use pip. Somehow the setuptools package had been deleted in my Python environment.

To fix the issue, run the setup script for setuptools:

wget https://bootstrap.pypa.io/ez_setup.py -O - | python

(or if you don't have wget installed (e.g. OS X), try

curl https://bootstrap.pypa.io/ez_setup.py | python

possibly with sudo prepended.)

If you have any version of distribute, or any setuptools below 0.6, you will have to uninstall it first.*

See Installation Instructions for further details.


* If you already have a working distribute, upgrading it to the "compatibility wrapper" that switches you over to setuptools is easier. But if things are already broken, don't try that.

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153
sudo apt-get install --reinstall python-pkg-resources

fixed it for me in Debian. Seems like uninstalling some .deb packages (twisted set in my case) has broken the path python uses to find packages

🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/learnpython › impossible to get pkg_resources on windows?
r/learnpython on Reddit: Impossible to get pkg_resources on Windows?
February 13, 2026 -

I am running on Windows Powershell. I know, it sucks, but it is what I am stuck with.

I have installed python 3.14 from the python.org website. When I run python and run "import setuptools", it works. When I check the version of setuptools, it is 82.0.0. No problems there.

But pkg_resources will not import. Specifically, "import pkg_resources" always fails.

I have reinstalled using --force-reinstall, I have downloaded the setuptools wheel file, none of that works. It just will not recognize pkg_resources.

Is there no pkg_resources file for Windows? Or what on earth is going on here? Every guide I read just keeps repeating that I should reinstall, but I have done that, multiple times, from multiple sources.

Discussions

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'pkg_resources.py2_warn'
The Azure IoT Edge Tools for VS 2019 was recently updated to v1.7, and it has introduced an error on my dev machine, blocking me from running the simulator. Another user has posted the same as an issue on the docs site. When you try to set up the Azure… More on learn.microsoft.com
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Why module pkg_resources is not found
When starting the process, an error occurs that the system cannot find the pkg_resource module, I checked the presence of setuptools and pkg_resources in the folder (IT exists, it is there), I thought that an error occurred and deleted setuptools pip uninstall setuptools and then downloaded ... More on discuss.python.org
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November 22, 2024
No module named 'pkg_resources' error while building love game
You'd be better off posting this as an issue in the makelove repository, if there is one More on reddit.com
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3
1
June 11, 2024
[Bug] setup.py raises `ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'pkg_resources'` after release of setuptools 82.0
You signed out in another tab or window. Reload to refresh your session. You switched accounts on another tab or window. Reload to refresh your session. ... [Bug] setup.py raises ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'pkg_resources' after release of setuptools 82.0#3325 More on github.com
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February 9, 2026
People also ask

Where can I find more ModuleNotFoundError fixes?
Browse the ModuleNotFoundError reference hub for 198+ specific module fixes (TensorFlow, Flask, Django, pandas, numpy, etc.). For related issues see ImportError. For broader Python setup see Python Tutorial hub.
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itsourcecode.com
itsourcecode.com › home › [solved 2026] modulenotfounderror: no module named ‘pkg_resources’ fix
[Solved 2026] ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'pkg_resources' Fix
What is Python ModuleNotFoundError and what causes it?
ModuleNotFoundError (a subclass of ImportError) is raised when Python cannot find the module you tried to import. Common causes: the package isn't installed (pip install missing), wrong virtual environment activated, typo in module name, or Python can't find your local module on the import path. The error message names exactly which module is missing.
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itsourcecode.com
itsourcecode.com › home › [solved 2026] modulenotfounderror: no module named ‘pkg_resources’ fix
[Solved 2026] ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'pkg_resources' Fix
Is ModuleNotFoundError the same as ImportError?
ModuleNotFoundError is a subclass of ImportError added in Python 3.6. It specifically means 'no such module exists.' Plain ImportError covers a wider set: module exists but a name inside it can't be imported (e.g. 'cannot import name X from Y'). except ImportError catches both; except ModuleNotFoundError catches only the missing-module case.
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itsourcecode.com
itsourcecode.com › home › [solved 2026] modulenotfounderror: no module named ‘pkg_resources’ fix
[Solved 2026] ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'pkg_resources' Fix
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Itsourcecode
itsourcecode.com › home › [solved 2026] modulenotfounderror: no module named ‘pkg_resources’ fix
[Solved 2026] ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'pkg_resources' Fix
July 12, 2026 - Fix Python "ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'pkg_resources'" by installing setuptools: pip install setuptools. 2026 fix.
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Arshan's blogs
blog.arshanaslam.me › fixing-no-module-named-pkgresources-after-setuptools-82-removal
Fixing “No module named 'pkg_resources'” After Setuptools 82 Removal
February 11, 2026 - If your project or dependencies still rely on pkg_resources, install a Setuptools version below 82. ... This restores the pkg_resources module.
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Python.org
discuss.python.org › python help
Why module pkg_resources is not found - Python Help - Discussions on Python.org
November 22, 2024 - When starting the process, an error ... exists, it is there), I thought that an error occurred and deleted setuptools pip uninstall setuptools and then downloaded ......
Find elsewhere
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sebhastian
sebhastian.com › python-no-module-named-pkg-resources
Fix Python ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'pkg_resources' | sebhastian
January 27, 2023 - # For Unix/ macOS: python3 -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools wheel # For windows: py -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools wheel
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/love2d › no module named 'pkg_resources' error while building love game
r/love2d on Reddit: No module named 'pkg_resources' error while building love game
June 11, 2024 -

I got this error when trying to build my love2d game with makelove: * Executing task: C:\Users\Eli\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\Scripts\makelove.exe --config make_all.toml

Traceback (most recent call last):

File "<frozen runpy>", line 198, in _run_module_as_main

File "<frozen runpy>", line 88, in _run_code

File "C:\Users\Eli\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\Scripts\makelove.exe\__main__.py", line 4, in <module>

File "C:\Users\Eli\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\Lib\site-packages\makelove\makelove.py", line 11, in <module>

import pkg_resources

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'pkg_resources'

* The terminal process "C:\Users\Eli\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\Scripts\makelove.exe '--config', 'make_all.toml'" terminated with exit code: 1.

* Terminal will be reused by tasks, press any key to close it.

How do i fix this?

🌐
Bobby Hadz
bobbyhadz.com › blog › python-no-module-named-pkg-resources
No module named 'pkg_resources' in Python [Solved] | bobbyhadz
The error "No module named 'pkg_resources'" occurs when you don't have the setuptools package installed.
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GitHub
github.com › open-mmlab › mmcv › issues › 3325
[Bug] setup.py raises `ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'pkg_resources'` after release of setuptools 82.0 · Issue #3325 · open-mmlab/mmcv
February 9, 2026 - pip install setuptools now installs version 82.0 which doesn't have pkg_resources module. So, installing mmcv now raises ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'pkg_resources'. in setup.py.
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GitHub
github.com › dgtlmoon › changedetection.io › issues › 2422
"No module named pkg_resources" on Python 3.12 due to missing "setuptools" · Issue #2422 · dgtlmoon/changedetection.io
June 17, 2024 - The error only happens when it actually tries to detect changes for a URL (or any URL). Every URL ends up with "No module named pkg_resources" error, and that's the only error message from the console.
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Moon Technolabs
moontechnolabs.com › qanda › modulenotfounderror-pkg-resources
How to Fix ModuleNotFoundError: 'pkg_resources' Error?
July 22, 2026 - The ModuleNotFoundError: No module named ‘pkg_resources’ error is usually caused by a missing or corrupted setuptools installation, an incorrect Python interpreter, or a broken virtual environment.
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Liquid Instruments
knowledge.liquidinstruments.com › python-api-examples › moku-library-pkg_resource-error-fix
Fix for ''No module named pkg_resources" error - Liquid Instruments
August 29, 2024 - During installation of the Moku API on the latest versions of Python (>3.12), the installation may encounter an error No module named ‘pkg_resources' when the command moku download is run.
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GitHub
github.com › sensepost › objection › issues › 644
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'pkg_resources · Issue #644 · sensepost/objection
November 3, 2023 - Microsoft Windows [版本 10.0.19045.2728] (c) Microsoft Corporation。保留所有权利。 C:\Users\Administrator>objection Traceback (most recent call last): File "", line 198, in run_module_as_main File "", line 88, in run_code File "C:\Users\Administra...
Author: sensepost
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Google Groups
groups.google.com › g › trac-users › c › 9_FC90ghxp0
Windows install - missing pkg_resources module
> > >> C:\Python27\Scripts>tra... pkg_resources import load_entry_point > >> ImportError: No module named pkg_resources > > That module is part of setuptools, which you need to install first....
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Medium
medium.com › @sherlock297 › error-modulenotfounderror-no-module-named-pkg-resources-e64548127db3
Error — ModuleNotFoundError: No module named ‘pkg_resources’ - Ravindra Dagale - Medium
August 31, 2024 - C:\Users\User\Downloads\dnsReaper-1.10.0\dnsReaper-1.10.0>python main.py — help Traceback (most recent call last): File “C:\Users\User\Downloads\dnsReaper-1.10.0\dnsReaper-1.10.0\main.py”, line 5, in <module> import providers File “C:\Users\User\Downloads\dnsReaper-1.10.0\dnsReaper-1.10.0\providers\__init__.py”, line 9, in <module> from . import * File “C:\Users\User\Downloads\dnsReaper-1.10.0\dnsReaper-1.10.0\providers\googlecloud.py”, line 4, in <module> from google.cloud import dns File “C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\Lib\site-packages\google\cloud\dns\__init__.py”, line 28, in <module> from pkg_resources import get_distribution ModuleNotFoundError: No module named ‘pkg_resources’
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GitHub
github.com › pre-commit › pre-commit › issues › 2122
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'pkg_resources' when installing environment · Issue #2122 · pre-commit/pre-commit
November 6, 2021 - Hi. I'm getting the error below both on Python 3.10.0 and 3.9.7, only on this mirrors-prettier repo. [INFO] Installing environment for https://github.com/pre-commit/mirrors-prettier. [INFO] Once installed this environment will be reused....
Author: pre-commit
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GitHub
github.com › dereneaton › ipyrad › issues › 620
No module named 'pkg_resources' · Issue #620 · dereneaton/ipyrad
February 12, 2026 - Traceback (most recent call last): File "/home/jrroberts6/anaconda3/envs/ipyrad_py312/bin/ipyrad", line 6, in <module> from ipyrad.__main__ import main File "/home/jrroberts6/anaconda3/envs/ipyrad_py312/lib/python3.12/site-packages/ipyrad/__main__.py", line 8, in <module> from pkg_resources import get_distribution ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'pkg_resources'
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/opensuse › can't run pip: modulenotfounderror: no module named 'pkg_resources', setuptools is installed
r/openSUSE on Reddit: Can't run pip: ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'pkg_resources', setuptools is installed
August 13, 2020 -

Edit: Problem solved The packages python3 python3-base and python3-devel were installed from the Leap 15.1 Repo and there was a file conflict with the python38 package from the "Main Repository (OSS)" Repo.

I did a zypper rm python3 python3-base python3-devel to remove the packages from the Leap 15.1 Repo and force installed python38, python38-base and python38-devel to install the correct packages again without any file conflicts.

I still don't know whether i should even have the Leap 15.1 Repo though ...
I have disabled the repo now.

---Original Post---

Hello,

when i want to execute any pip command (including just invoking pip without any args) i get the following error:

$ pip
 Traceback (most recent call last):
   File "/usr/bin/pip", line 6, in <module>
     from pkg_resources import load_entry_point
 ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'pkg_resources'

I already searched and often when people got this error it was due to a missing setuptools package.

But python3-setuptools is installed via zypper. And pip is the one from python 3.

When i start python3 and run help("modules") many modules are listed but setuptools isn't among them, yet /usr/lib/python3.8/site-packages/setuptools exists and is not empty.

Not sure if related, but i also can't start lutris(also installed with zypper):

$ lutris
Unable to load locale dir, translations won't work.
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/lutris", line 54, in <module>
    from lutris.gui.application import Application  # pylint: disable=no-name-in-module
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'lutris

I don't really know anything about python except the few commands i found while searching for a solution, any help would be appreciated :)

edit: im running tumbleweed on the latest snapshot, but this issue has been present for at least a week.

🌐
D-link
d-link.com › modulenotfounderror-no-module-named-pkg_resources
modulenotfounderror: no module named ‘pkg_resources’ Error [Solved] – D-Link
Before diving into solutions, let’s understand what this error actually means. The error ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'pkg_resources' indicates that Python cannot find the pkg_resources module, which is a crucial component of the setuptools package.