CODEWITHSUNDEEP
pythonpython-3.xwinapipippywin32
Glxce
Glxce

Reputation: 951

How to fix "ImportError: DLL load failed" while importing win32api

I'm setting up an autoclicker in Python 3.8 and I need win32api for GetAsyncKeyState but it always gives me this error:

>>> import win32api
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<stdin>", line 1, in <module>
ImportError: DLL load failed while importing win32api: The specified module could not be found.

I'm on Windows 10 Home 64x. I've already tried

pip install pypiwin32

And it successfully installs but nothing changes. I tried uninstalling and re-installing python as well. I also tried installing 'django' in the same way and it actually works when I import django, so I think it's a win32api issue only.

>>> import win32api

I expect the output to be none, but the actual output is always that error ^^

Upvotes: 84

Views: 231022

Answers (30)

Deril Raju
Deril Raju

Reputation: 124

In case this helps someone. I am running python 3.10.15 on my conda environment and default pip install pywin32 was giving me the DLL error, tried other solutions on this thread didn't work either.

Upgrading pywin32 worked pip install --upgrade pywin32==308

As of 11/10/2024

Upvotes: 0

Aman Gupta
Aman Gupta

Reputation: 3797

pip install pywin32==304 --upgrade

Worked for me on Python 3.10.x

Upvotes: 1

user21143871
user21143871

Reputation:

I managed to copy files from "yourPython"/Lib/site-packages/pywin32_system32, pywintypes310.dll and pythoncom310.dll to the app folder with the exe /win32 and in the app folder with the exe, I also copied the pywintypes311.dll file generated by pyinstaller in the app folder with the exe /win32 to System32

Upvotes: 0

Lokinou
Lokinou

Reputation: 1067

I had the same issue after reinstalling anaconda 3.9 instead of 3.7 and placing inside the former env folder.

I launched the Anaconda Prompt application then typed in

cd C:\Users\%USERNAME%\anaconda3\Scripts
activate.bat

I suspect it updated the pythoncomXX.dll and pywintypesXX.dll used by anaconda.

Upvotes: 0

david.t_92
david.t_92

Reputation: 2051

Maybe a bit late but it could help:

What happens is that you have two versions of pywin32 installed (One in the local enviroment and the other one in the main python installation)

To solve that uninstall both versions with:

conda uninstall pywin32
pip uninstall pywin32

And inside your virtual conda enviroment also execute:

conda uninstall pywin32
or 
pip uninstall pywin32

finally in your virtual enviroment / conda enviroment install with pip install pywin32 or conda.

The answers telling that it works with x version is because the version they install are compatible with the pywin32 dlls they have in system32.

Adding a support link: "DLL load failed: The specified procedure could not be found" when importing win32api or win32com

Upvotes: 1

Rufai DEMIR
Rufai DEMIR

Reputation: 145

Its about venv or virtualenv version problem about pywin32 check version of both of version of pywin32 (pip install pywin32)

than run this command on active venv

pip install --upgrade pywin32==305

Upvotes: 1

King Chudi
King Chudi

Reputation: 105

This worked for me conda install -c anaconda pywin32

Upvotes: 0

Greg7000
Greg7000

Reputation: 425

If you are launching a virtual env from another virutal env. Makes sure to install pywin32 in both envs. Lost way too many time with this....

Upvotes: 0

Anatoly Alekseev
Anatoly Alekseev

Reputation: 2420

What helped me was

  1. installing relevant binary from github.com/mhammond/pywin32
  2. executing the following commands in the x64 command line:

cd C:\ProgramData\Anaconda3\Scripts

python pywin32_postinstall.py -install

Upvotes: 5

zhiyi
zhiyi

Reputation: 119

You should go into the folder {python folder path}/Lib/site-packages/pywin32_system32 and copy pythoncomXX.dll and pywintypesXX.dll to the folder C:/Windows/System32.

If you are using a virtual environment, then {python folder path} is the python folder used by the virtual environment, otherwise it is the folder where the global python is located. For example, I use conda to create a virtual environment called Frameless-Window, and install the package pywin32 in this virtual environment, then the {python folder path} on my computer should be D:/Anaconda/envs/Frameless-Window.

You should be very careful when copying the dll to the System32 folder. if there are dlls with the same name in the folder and pywin32 in your other virtual environment may use these two dlls, replacing the original dlls may cause this virtual environment had the same ImportError problem. After testing, I found that the dlls of pywin32 of version 227, 228 and 300 can be replaced with each other, and the dlls of pywin32 of versions 301, 302, 303 and 304 can also be replaced with each other, but if the dll of version 300 is replaced with the dll of version 301, it will raise ImportError.

Upvotes: 0

user3761555
user3761555

Reputation: 1275

Yes it works!

C:\ProgramData\Anaconda3>py Scripts\pywin32_postinstall.py -install

Parsed arguments are: Namespace(destination='C:\ProgramData\Anaconda3\Lib\site-packages', install=True, quiet=False, remove=False, silent=False, wait=None) Copied pythoncom38.dll to C:\WINDOWS\system32\pythoncom38.dll Copied pywintypes38.dll to C:\WINDOWS\system32\pywintypes38.dll Registered: Python.Interpreter Registered: Python.Dictionary Registered: Python -> Software\Python\PythonCore\3.8\Help[None]=None -> Software\Python\PythonCore\3.8\Help\Pythonwin Reference[None]='C:\ProgramData\Anaconda3\Lib\site-packages\PyWin32.chm' Registered help file Pythonwin has been registered in context menu Creating directory C:\ProgramData\Anaconda3\Lib\site-packages\win32com\gen_py Can't install shortcuts - 'C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Python 3.8' is not a folder The pywin32 extensions were successfully installed.

Upvotes: 3

ocroquette
ocroquette

Reputation: 3259

This happens when Lib\site-packages\pywin32_system32 is not in the list of directories to search for DLL (PATH environment variable).

pywin32 (or one of its dependencies) adds this path at runtime to the PATH variable. If this is failing, or another component is overriding the PATH after it's been set by pywin32, you will get the given error (ImportError: DLL load failed while importing win32api).

You can try to extend the PATH variable in the shell before starting Python.

On Windows:

set PATH=c:\...\Lib\site-packages\pywin32_system32;%PATH%

If that doesn't work, then the PATH maybe overridden within the Python program at runtime. Add the following line to your program just before pywin32 is used to verify its value:

import os
print(os.environ["PATH"])

As a last resort, you can extend the PATH variable before pywin32 is loaded:

Windows:

os.environ["PATH"] = r"c:\...\pywin32_system32;" + os.environ["PATH"]

Unix like:

os.environ["PATH"] = r"/.../pywin32_system32:" + os.environ["PATH"]

Upvotes: 15

Alberto
Alberto

Reputation: 155

As of February 2022, downgrading tot version 303 of pywin32 solves the issue.

Check your pywin32 version:

pip show pywin32

Downgrade to version 300:

pip install pywin32==300 --upgrade

Restart Jupyter

Upvotes: 6

Nguhyw
Nguhyw

Reputation: 1

hi this question i'm solve as below: 1.check directory C:\Windows\System32, is exist these file? pythoncom37.dll pywintypes37.dll or pythoncom36.dll pywintypes36.dll the number is python version .

  1. if the file is exist delete it.

and then this issue will be solve.

Upvotes: 0

addohm
addohm

Reputation: 2475

Windows 10, Python 3.8, PyWin32 v.302 using Anaconda

Here is what worked for me

Open an elevated command prompt activate environment

  • Windows Key
  • Type cmd
  • Right click Command Prompt and click Run as Administrator
  • conda activate [ENVIRONMENT]

Navigate to the environment you installed PyWin32 on, works if pip install or conda install is used

  • cd C:\Users\[USER]\anaconda3\envs\[ENVIRONMENT]\Scripts

Run the post install script that was added when installing PyWin32

  • python pywin32_postinstall.py -install

Upvotes: 3

TheHai
TheHai

Reputation: 41

You should try some (or all) of my methods:

  1. Run terminal and use this command: conda install pywin32.

  2. Copying the two files from [installation directory of Anaconda]\Lib\site-packages\pywin32_system32 (there are only 2 files in this folder) and paste to C:\Windows\System32.

    In my case, the two files are pythoncom38.dll and pywintypes38.dll (it means my Python version is 3.8).

  3. Downgrading the version of pywin32 to 225 or lower by this command: pip install pywin32==225.

Upvotes: 4

BerkanKRN
BerkanKRN

Reputation: 1

I am a miniconda user. I got this error first after installed some python environment then deleted it. So I reinstalled the jupyter notebook and it replaced some missing files and issue is fixed.

conda install jupyter notebook

Upvotes: -1

gourxb
gourxb

Reputation: 325

Solved

I tried uninstalling and reinstalling pywin32 multiple ways, but the problem persisted. The following way solved the problem:

pip install --upgrade jupyter_client    
pip install --upgrade pywin32==224 --force-reinstall

Upvotes: 0

Shivaji fullstack
Shivaji fullstack

Reputation: 107

version 228 works best for me in Windows 10

pip uninstall pywin32
pip install pywin32==228

Upvotes: 2

Janzaib M Baloch
Janzaib M Baloch

Reputation: 1353

Solved

If you are working in a miniconda on conda environment. You could just install pywin32 using conda instead of pip.

This solved my problem:

conda install pywin32

Upvotes: 103

Vojtech Stas
Vojtech Stas

Reputation: 749

This problem for me occured when recreating venv from requirements.txt. This venv was initially created on Ubuntu Linux and then recreated on Win 10.

I had to clear the environment and install everyrhing again manually. Did the work for me.

Upvotes: 0

suhas sasetty
suhas sasetty

Reputation: 81

For python 3.8.3, pywin32==225 worked for me, the existing pywin32==228 was uninstalled.

So try this

pip install pywin32==225

Hope it solves your problem

Upvotes: 8

Hacker--Rohan Raj
Hacker--Rohan Raj

Reputation: 79

That is Simple. After Many Tries, I Discovered a Solution. Just Type the Following Commands in Windows 10. I am Using Pycharm, Python Version 3.9

Note:- This Works for All Python Versions !!

pip uninstall pywin32

pip install pywin32

That is Simple.

if That Does Not Work, Then Try:-

pip uninstall win32api
pip install win32api

After Trying These Commands, Try the first 2 commands again.

If It is Still Not Coming, Then Comment This Question What the problem is !!

Upvotes: 0

MaxSM
MaxSM

Reputation: 21

I have had this issue with Jupyter in Anaconda. After following all listed advices, without clear understanding what I am doing, nothing worked for me except one thing. I have updated indexes of Anaconda environments and I've got my kernels back. The screenshot

Upvotes: 0

Aditya Saini
Aditya Saini

Reputation: 705

For me, it worked by downgrading my pywin32 from version 227 to version 224. Just type the following command on any shell in administrator mode:

pip install --upgrade pywin32==224

Upvotes: 48

Vikram
Vikram

Reputation: 341

Jupyter notebook github has the issue mentioned in the question. There are multiple solution proposed.

What worked for me was this answer with additional first step:

  1. pip uninstall pywin32
  2. pip install pywin32
  3. python [environment path]/Scripts/pywin32_postinstall.py -install

Upvotes: 1

vinodhraj
vinodhraj

Reputation: 217

The answer is in jupyter notebook github. https://github.com/jupyter/notebook/issues/4980

conda install pywin32 worked for me. I am using conda distribution and my virtual env is using Python 3.8

Upvotes: 13

Bench Wang
Bench Wang

Reputation: 812

For my case, install and reinstall pywin32 doesn't help. After copied the two files from [installation directory of Anaconda]\Lib\site-packages\pywin32_system32 to C:\Windows\System32, it works.

My environment is python 3.8 in miniconda. The two files are pythoncom38.dll and pywintypes38.dll.

Upvotes: 65

Raghunath Chandran
Raghunath Chandran

Reputation: 1

I downloaded and installed the latest Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2019 package from (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2977003/the-latest-supported-visual-c-downloads). You may have to restart your machine after installation.

Then from conda command prompt activate your virtual environment and go to the Scripts folder of the virtual environment(>cd "path of venv"/Scripts)

Once you are in the Scripts folder run the following command "python pywin32_postinstall.py -install"

This will install the required dll's to the appropriate folders in the virtual environment.

And that's how I got it to work!

Upvotes: 0

Jos&#233;
Jos&#233;

Reputation: 2302

Run Scripts\pywin32_postinstall.py -install in an Admin command prompt

ref: https://github.com/mhammond/pywin32/issues/1431

edit: User @JoyfulPanda gave a warning:

Running this script with admin rights will also copy pythoncom37.dll, pywintypes37.dll (corresponding to the pywin32 version), into C:\WINDOWS\system32, which effectively overwrites the corresponding DLL versions from Anaconda already there. This later causes problem when openning (on Windows) "Start Menu > Anaconda3 (64-bit) > Anaconda Prompt (a_virtual_env_name)". At least Anaconda 2019.07 has pywin32 223 installed by default. Pywin32 224 may work, but 225-228 causes problem for Anaconda (2019.07)

Upvotes: 39

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