Upgraded Python: Module no longer found - for Linux

[Curbie]

Don’t know if this is the correct place for this question, if not just help out on where I should go?

A thread here titled “[SOLVED] Upgraded Python: Module no longer found” (https://python-forum.io/thread-43804.html?
highlight=No+module+named+%27tkinter%27) gives this fix:

For others' benefit, here's the fix:

    1 pip3 freeze --path c:\Users\joe\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\Lib\site-packages\ > python_requirements.txt
    2 pip3 install -r python_requirements.txt

This seems like a fix for pycharm on windows, this looks like the same problem I’m having, is there a fix for Linux mint?

curbie

[Gribouillis]

Please include details about your own problem, not details of someone else's (bad) fix to another problem

• How did you upgrade your Python in Linux Mint?
  
• Which module is no longer found?
  
• Are you having this problem in an IDE or also on the command line?
  
• Add exception traceback perhaps?
  

[Curbie]

Mint Xfce was loaded from scratch to a clean SSD, all upgrades came from the “Software Manager” using the deb option if available, I don’t think I had to load any from flatpacks yet. I did a search of the home directory for tkinter.py, but only found tkinter.pyi. I loaded Mint, then Python, then Pycharm.

The code that failed in this example was a working tutorial from w3school.

curbie

Mint Xfce 22

PyCharm 2024.3.1.1 (Community Edition)
Build #PC-243.22562.220, built on December 18, 2024
Runtime version: 21.0.5+8-b631.28 amd64 (JCEF 122.1.9)
VM: OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM by JetBrains s.r.o.
Toolkit: sun.awt.X11.XToolkit
Linux 6.8.0-51-generic
GC: G1 Young Generation, G1 Concurrent GC, G1 Old Generation
Memory: 4002M
Cores: 12# 36 widgets *** Ttk Widgets ***
import tkinter as tk # import tk interface module
from tkinter import ttk # get Tk themed routines
#
Registry:
ide.experimental.ui=true
i18n.locale=Mint Xfce was loaded from scratch to a clean SSD, all upgrades came from the “Software Manager” using the deb option if available, I don’t think I had to load any from flatpacks yet. I did a search of the home directory for tkinter.py, but only found tkinter.pyi.

The code that failed in this example was a working tutorial from w3school.

System:
Mint Xfce 22

IDE:
PyCharm 2024.3.1.1 (Community Edition)
Build #PC-243.22562.220, built on December 18, 2024
Runtime version: 21.0.5+8-b631.28 amd64 (JCEF 122.1.9)
VM: OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM by JetBrains s.r.o.
Toolkit: sun.awt.X11.XToolkit
Linux 6.8.0-51-generic
GC: G1 Young Generation, G1 Concurrent GC, G1 Old Generation
Memory: 4002M
Cores: 12# 36 widgets *** Ttk Widgets ***
import tkinter as tk # import tk interface module
from tkinter import ttk # get Tk themed routines
#
Registry:
ide.experimental.ui=true
i18n.locale=
llm.show.ai.promotion.window.on.start=false
Current Desktop: XFCEtkinter

Version:
Python 3.12.3

First 4 lines of Code:

# 36 widgets *** Ttk Widgets ***
  import tkinter as tk                    # import tk interface module
  from tkinter import ttk                 # get Tk themed routines
#

Traceback:

Error:
/home/curbie/.cache/JetBrains/PyCharmCE2024.3/demo/PyCharmLearningProject/.venv/bin/python /home/curbie/PycharmProjects/alpha/amimagev2/36 gui-widget.py 
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/home/curbie/PycharmProjects/alpha/amimagev2/36 gui-widget.py", line 2, in <module>
    import tkinter as tk                    # import tk interface module
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'tkinter'

Process finished with exit code 1

[Gribouillis]

I don't know pycharm, but try to open a terminal in pycharm and type

Output:
python -m pip install tkinter

You can also try to install the system's "python3-tk" package, probably

Output:
apt-get install python3-tk
# or
sudo apt-get install python3-tk

[Curbie]

For Python 3.12.3, I tried: ":~$ python3 -m pip install tkinter" and it replied:
error: externally-managed-environment

× This environment is externally managed
╰─> To install Python packages system-wide, try apt install
python3-xyz, where xyz is the package you are trying to
install.

If you wish to install a non-Debian-packaged Python package,
create a virtual environment using python3 -m venv path/to/venv.
Then use path/to/venv/bin/python and path/to/venv/bin/pip. Make
sure you have python3-full installed.

If you wish to install a non-Debian packaged Python application,
it may be easiest to use pipx install xyz, which will manage a
virtual environment for you. Make sure you have pipx installed.

See /usr/share/doc/python3.12/README.venv for more information.

note: If you believe this is a mistake, please contact your Python installation or OS distribution provider. You can override this, at the risk of breaking your Python installation or OS, by passing --break-system-packages.
hint: See PEP 668 for the detailed specification.

[Gribouillis]

For Python 3.12.3, I tried: ":~$ python3 -m pip install tkinter" and it replied:
error: externally-managed-environment

That's a problem with modern ubuntu (or mint) systems: the default Python is meant for the system, not for ordinary users.

Anyway, I dont think you can install tkinter with pip.

Have you tried the command apt install python3-tk ? (or apt-get or sudo apt...)

[Curbie]

Thanks Gribouillis, correct on both points.

[Sece1967]

You're in the right place! I can definitely help with this.

If you upgraded Python on **Linux Mint** and are now getting a **ModuleNotFoundError**, it likely means your new Python installation doesn’t have the necessary packages installed.

### **Steps to Fix It on Linux Mint:**

#### **1. Check Your Installed Python Versions**
Run:
`bash
python3 --version
python3 -m pip --version
`
Make sure Python and pip are properly installed.

#### **2. Locate Your Site-Packages Directory**
If your modules were installed under the old Python version, they won’t be available in the new one. You can list installed packages with:
`bash
pip3 freeze > python_requirements.txt
`
This saves all currently installed packages to a file.

#### **3. Reinstall Packages for the New Python Version**
Run:
`bash
pip3 install --user -r python_requirements.txt
`
This will reinstall everything for your current Python version.

#### **4. For Missing tkinter (or other built-in modules)**
If you specifically need tkinter, install it with:
`bash
sudo apt install python3-tk
`

#### **5. If You’re Using PyCharm**
If this issue is happening in **PyCharm**, check your **Python Interpreter settings** and make sure it’s pointing to the correct Python version.

---

### **Extra Tip: Use a Virtual Environment**
To avoid issues when upgrading Python in the future, consider using a virtual environment:
`bash
python3 -m venv myenv
source myenv/bin/activate
pip install -r python_requirements.txt
`
This keeps dependencies isolated.

Let me know if you need more details! 😊

[Curbie]

Sece1967,

Thanks for the reply, after a few weeks of testing i'm pretty sure I'm now properly setup, at least I can't find any problems.

curbie