Cannot find module cv2 when using OpenCV

Question

I have installed OpenCV on the Occidentalis operating system (a variant of Raspbian) on a Raspberry Pi, using this script by jayrambhia. It installed version 2.4.5.

When I try import cv2 in a Python program, I get the following message:

pi@raspberrypi~$ python cam.py
Traceback (most recent call last)
File "cam.py", line 1, in <module>
    import cv2
ImportError: No module named cv2

The file cv2.so is stored in /usr/local/lib/python2.7/site-packages/...

There are also folders in /usr/local/lib called python3.2 and python2.6, in case that is relevant.

How can I fix the problem? Is this caused by a path misconfiguration?

try : python --version . if it says 3.2, then you got a hint. try to locate the 2.7 executable, and call that with an absolute path — berak, Nov 09 '13 at 12:49
For macOS 10.12 and python 3 the simple command below worked to resolve the error: pip install opencv-python Refer: https://pypi.python.org/pypi/opencv-python — Tushar, Feb 20 '17 at 04:42
If you are using macOS Catalina, maybe this can help you https://stackoverflow.com/a/61578366/11559619 — NicolasElPapu, May 03 '20 at 16:59

Hossein · Answer 1 · 2020-07-16T17:02:35.190

536

First do run these commands inside Terminal/CMD:

conda update anaconda-navigator  
conda update navigator-updater

Then the issue for the instruction below will be resolved

For windows if you have anaconda installed, you can simply do

pip install opencv-python

or

conda install -c https://conda.binstar.org/menpo opencv

if you are on linux you can do :

pip install opencv-python

or

conda install opencv

Link1 Link2

For python3.5+ check these links : Link3 , Link4

Update:
if you use anaconda, you may simply use this as well (and hence don't need to add menpo channel):

conda install -c conda-forge opencv

edited Jul 16 '20 at 17:02

answered Jan 27 '17 at 14:03

Hossein

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for linux you should type 'pip install opencv-python' or 'sudo pip install opencv-python' – Oz Radiano Apr 15 '17 at 08:50
25

You got the command wrong. It is `sudo pip3 install opencv-python`. Also, for linux, you must run it as `sudo pip3 install opencv-python` for python 3 and `sudo pip install opencv-python` for python 2. You do not need the sudo at the beginning of the command if you do `sudo -i` forst or are running as root in some manner. – E.T. May 21 '17 at 18:06
2

If facing problems while installing, make sure you have the newest version of pip `pip install --upgrade pip` this was my wattle – mrk Jun 20 '17 at 12:30
4

`pip install opencv-python` works for me and I don't have Anaconda. Just FYI for anyone else who comes here. – Jul 22 '17 at 15:09
@tilper: Yes, pip is also shipped with Python as well. I did'nt know this at the time – Hossein Jul 22 '17 at 15:36
@vinuVish: I'm glad to hear that ;-) – Hossein Sep 20 '17 at 16:21
4

@OzRadiano [`sudo pip install` should **not** be used](https://askubuntu.com/q/802544/253474). [Is it acceptable and safe to run pip install under sudo?](https://stackoverflow.com/q/15028648/995714). This is recommended by [scipy](https://www.scipy.org/install.html) and [python.org](https://packaging.python.org/tutorials/installing-packages/#ensure-you-can-run-python-from-the-command-line) – phuclv Jan 16 '18 at 03:45
`pip install opencv-python` worked in MacBook anaconda environment – Vinicius Cardoso Feb 09 '20 at 11:34
pip installation is the only one that worked on my Linux. – cerebrou Jul 16 '20 at 15:57
1

Before those commands, please install anaconda3 from their site https://docs.anaconda.com/anaconda/install/index.html – Andres Paladines Jul 23 '21 at 05:03
`conda install -c conda-forge opencv` works for me. Thanks you. – Gavin Gao Oct 09 '21 at 11:09
`pip install opencv-python` command worked for me in anacoda, Thank you. – Pulsara Sandeepa Sep 20 '22 at 05:45

Midhun · Answer 2 · 2014-02-05T17:01:09.653

95

This happens when python cannot refer to your default site-packages folder where you have kept the required python files or libraries

Add these lines in the code:

import sys

sys.path.append('/usr/local/lib/python2.7/site-packages')

or before running the python command in bash move to /usr/local/lib/python2.7/site-packages directory. This is a work around if you don't want to add any thing to the code.

edited Feb 05 '14 at 17:01

answered Feb 02 '14 at 14:14

Midhun

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Are you working on windows?This path look like at linux system. – FavorMylikes Apr 06 '16 at 16:23
4

the question was about Raspbian OS , which is Linux . – Midhun Apr 06 '16 at 20:33
3

Worked for me on mac machine – sandy Jul 19 '16 at 09:14
it works for one session, but if I exit and re-launch python, I have to do it again. how to save this modification? – Mostafa Nov 03 '16 at 15:26
I get "ImportError: numpy.core.multiarray failed to import" when I do this. Any suggestions? – hiquetj Feb 06 '17 at 19:11
Did u install numpy? – Midhun Feb 08 '17 at 05:12
Thanks, but why does this happen? – Cypher Mar 01 '23 at 16:38

score 64 · Answer 3 · answered Feb 22 '16 at 06:07

64

I solved my issue using the following command :

conda install opencv

answered Feb 22 '16 at 06:07

tarun kumar Sharma

897
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21

12

If you've got Anaconda Python installed, this is the command you're looking for. – kevinmicke Jun 28 '16 at 22:35
I tried this today on a Windows 64-bit 2.7 conda environment and got a `PackageNotFound error` – Mike Wise Dec 13 '16 at 17:19
2

What did work was `conda install -c https://conda.binstar.org/menpo opencv` – Mike Wise Dec 13 '16 at 17:20
`pip install opencv-python==4.6.0.66` – DanielBell99 Jul 27 '22 at 08:34

score 47 · Answer 4 · edited Jul 24 '16 at 10:23

47

Try to add the following line in ~/.bashrc

export PYTHONPATH=/usr/local/lib/python2.7/site-packages:$PYTHONPATH

edited Jul 24 '16 at 10:23

boop

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answered Jan 15 '14 at 07:42

lanpa

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Thanks, it worked for me when used: export PYTHONPATH=/usr/local/python/2.7:$PYTHONPATH – Ikbel Sep 13 '15 at 13:38

score 38 · Answer 5 · answered Oct 29 '18 at 13:00

38

Python3.x User

sudo pip3 install opencv-python

answered Oct 29 '18 at 13:00

Anoop Kumar

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https://askubuntu.com/questions/802544/is-sudo-pip-install-still-a-broken-practice – Gulzar May 06 '20 at 18:53
It works for me too. Thank you! (cuda 2204, cudnn 8.5.0, python 3.10.3) – Sergiy Tupikin Aug 19 '22 at 13:08

score 37 · Answer 6 · answered Nov 10 '19 at 06:34

37

For Windows 10 and Python 3.6, this worked for me

pip install opencv-contrib-python

answered Nov 10 '19 at 06:34

Amol Chavan

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Worked for me on Linux (Ubuntu 16.04) too – FlorianH Mar 13 '20 at 09:01
1

This solved my problem on Ubuntu as well. – roschach Jul 17 '21 at 17:20

score 28 · Answer 7 · answered May 27 '18 at 09:45

28

None of the above answers worked for me. I was going crazy until I found this solution below!

Simply run:

sudo apt install python-opencv

answered May 27 '18 at 09:45

Fatmajk

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sudo apt install python3-opencv for Ubuntu 20 and probably others in future – Tõnu Samuel Aug 16 '20 at 11:21
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`E: Unable to locate package python-opencv` showing this error – Shurvir Mori Nov 09 '21 at 07:39

score 24 · Answer 8 · edited Jan 14 '23 at 02:20

24

pip install opencv-python

or

pip install opencv-python3

will definitely work fine.

edited Jan 14 '23 at 02:20

mkrieger1

19,194
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answered Nov 05 '20 at 09:49

sscswapnil

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score 23 · Answer 9 · edited Aug 12 '19 at 11:23

23

I solved my issue using the following command :

pip install opencv-python

edited Aug 12 '19 at 11:23

Suraj Rao

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answered Aug 12 '19 at 11:13

jincy mariam

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score 16 · Answer 10 · edited Apr 25 '20 at 21:51

16

I solve it by running:

pip3 install opencv-python

edited Apr 25 '20 at 21:51

Captain Jack Sparrow

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answered Nov 08 '19 at 01:43

tonysok

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score 11 · Answer 11 · answered Oct 20 '19 at 13:41

11

I solve this by run code pip install opencv_contrib_python

answered Oct 20 '19 at 13:41

Snow Albert

547
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score 9 · Answer 12 · answered Apr 15 '22 at 00:06

9

Easy

python -m pip install --upgrade pip

Then

pip install opencv-python

answered Apr 15 '22 at 00:06

Mohamed Fathallah

1,274
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Harun ERGUL · Answer 13 · 2016-05-09T18:25:49.217

8

I have come accross same as this problem i installed cv2 by

pip install cv2

However when i import cv2 module it displayed no module named cv2 error.
Then i searched and find cv2.pyd files in my computer and i copy and paste to site-packages directory

C:\Python27\Lib\site-packages

then i closed and reopened existing application, it worked.

EDIT I will tell how to install cv2 correctly.

1. Firstly install numpy on your computer by

pip install numpy

2. Download opencv from internet (almost 266 mb).
I download opencv-2.4.12.exe for python 2.7. Then install this opencv-2.4.12.exe file.
I extracted to C:\Users\harun\Downloads to this folder.
After installation go look for cv2.py into the folders.
For me

C:\Users\harun\Downloads\opencv\build\python\2.7\x64

in this folder take thecv2.pyd and copy it in to the

C:\Python27\Lib\site-packages

now you can able to use cv2 in you python scripts.

edited May 09 '16 at 18:25

answered Apr 14 '16 at 06:21

Harun ERGUL

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I don't think the package `cv2` installed through `pip`has anything to do with `openCV`, you confirm ? – epsilones May 09 '16 at 13:41
@Newben sorry for late response. in EDIT part i talk about how to install opencv correctly. i wish it will help you if you have not solve the problem – Harun ERGUL May 09 '16 at 18:27
Using `pip install opencv-python` should work when trying to install via `pip`. – Likith Reddy Jul 10 '21 at 05:09
`ERROR: Could not find a version that satisfies the requirement cv2 (from versions: none) ERROR: No matching distribution found for cv2` – Shurvir Mori Nov 09 '21 at 07:44

TheExorcist · Answer 14 · 2019-02-06T21:44:10.320

IF YOU ARE BUILDING FROM SCRATCH, GO THROUGH THIS

You get No module named cv2.cv. Son, you did all step right, since your sudo make install gave no errors.

However look at this step

$ cd ~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages/
$ ln -s /usr/local/lib/python2.7/site-packages/cv2.so cv2.so

THE VERY IMPORTANT STEP OF ALL THESE IS TO LINK IT.

ln -s /usr/local/lib/python2.7/site-packages/cv2.so cv2.so 
or 
ln -s /usr/local/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/cv2.so cv2.so

The moment you choose wise linking, or by brute force just find the cv2.so file if that exist or not

Here I am throwing my output.

    Successfully installed numpy-1.15.3
(cv) demonLover-desktop:~$ cd ~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages/
(cv) demonLover-desktop:~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages$ ln -s /usr/local/lib/python2.7/site-packages/cv2.so cv2.so
(cv) demonLover-desktop:~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages$ pip list
Package    Version
---------- -------
numpy      1.15.3 
pip        18.1   
setuptools 40.5.0 
wheel      0.32.2 
(cv) demonLover-desktop:~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages$ python
Python 2.7.12 (default, Dec  4 2017, 14:50:18) 
[GCC 5.4.0 20160609] on linux2
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> import cv2
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<stdin>", line 1, in <module>
ImportError: No module named cv2
>>> 
[2]+  Stopped                 python
(cv) demonLover-desktop:~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages$ ls /usr/local/lib/python2.7/site-packages/c
ls: cannot access '/usr/local/lib/python2.7/site-packages/c': No such file or directory
(cv) demonLover-desktop:~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages$ ls /usr/local/lib/python2.7/site-packages/
(cv) demonLover-desktop:~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages$ deactivate 
demonLover-desktop:~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages$ ls /usr/local/lib/python2.7/site-packages/
demonLover-desktop:~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages$ ls
cv2.so  easy_install.py  easy_install.pyc  numpy  numpy-1.15.3.dist-info  pip  pip-18.1.dist-info  pkg_resources  setuptools  setuptools-40.5.0.dist-info  wheel  wheel-0.32.2.dist-info
demonLover-desktop:~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages$ ls /usr/local/lib/python2.7/site-packages/
demonLover-desktop:~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages$ ls -l  /usr/local/lib/python2.7/site-packages/
total 0
demonLover-desktop:~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages$ ls
cv2.so  easy_install.py  easy_install.pyc  numpy  numpy-1.15.3.dist-info  pip  pip-18.1.dist-info  pkg_resources  setuptools  setuptools-40.5.0.dist-info  wheel  wheel-0.32.2.dist-info
demonLover-desktop:~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages$ workon cv
(cv) demonLover-desktop:~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages$ python
Python 2.7.12 (default, Dec  4 2017, 14:50:18) 
[GCC 5.4.0 20160609] on linux2
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> import cv2
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<stdin>", line 1, in <module>
ImportError: No module named cv2
>>> 
[3]+  Stopped                 python
(cv) demonLover-desktop:~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages$ find / -name "cv2.so"
find: ‘/lost+found’: Permission denied
find: ‘/run/udisks2’: Permission denied
find: ‘/run/docker’: Permission denied
find: ‘/run/exim4’: Permission denied
find: ‘/run/lightdm’: Permission denied
find: ‘/run/cups/certs’: Permission denied
find: ‘/run/sudo’: Permission denied
find: ‘/run/samba/ncalrpc/np’: Permission denied
find: ‘/run/postgresql/9.5-main.pg_stat_tmp’: Permission denied
find: ‘/run/postgresql/10-main.pg_stat_tmp’: Permission denied
find: ‘/run/lvm’: Permission denied
find: ‘/run/systemd/inaccessible’: Permission denied
find: ‘/run/lock/lvm’: Permission denied
find: ‘/root’: Permission denied
^C
(cv) demonLover-desktop:~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages$ sudofind / -name "cv2.so"
sudofind: command not found
(cv) demonLover-desktop:~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages$ ^C
(cv) demonLover-desktop:~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages$ sudo find / -name "cv2.so"
[sudo] password for app: 
find: ‘/run/user/1000/gvfs’: Permission denied
^C
(cv) demonLover-desktop:~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages$ sudo find /usr/ -name "cv2.so"
/usr/local/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/cv2.so
^C
(cv) demonLover-desktop:~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages$ ln -s /usr/local/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/ccv2.so cv2.so
click/                        clonevirtualenv.pyc           configparser-3.5.0.dist-info/ configparser.py               cv2.so                        cycler.py
clonevirtualenv.py            concurrent/                   configparser-3.5.0-nspkg.pth  configparser.pyc              cycler-0.10.0.dist-info/      cycler.pyc
(cv) demonLover-desktop:~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages$ ln -s /usr/local/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/cv2.so cv2.so
ln: failed to create symbolic link 'cv2.so': File exists
(cv) demonLover-desktop:~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages$ rm cv2.so 
(cv) demonLover-desktop:~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages$ ln -s /usr/local/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/cv2.so cv2.so
(cv) demonLover-desktop:~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages$ ls
cv2.so  easy_install.py  easy_install.pyc  numpy  numpy-1.15.3.dist-info  pip  pip-18.1.dist-info  pkg_resources  setuptools  setuptools-40.5.0.dist-info  wheel  wheel-0.32.2.dist-info
(cv) demonLover-desktop:~/.virtualenvs/cv/lib/python2.7/site-packages$ python
Python 2.7.12 (default, Dec  4 2017, 14:50:18) 
[GCC 5.4.0 20160609] on linux2
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> import cv2
>>>

My step will only help, if your built is done right.

Glad to help you @RodneySalcedo , but it is sin while linking, we commit unconsciously. — TheExorcist, May 29 '19 at 12:55
@Cypher nothing happens automatically, that's why exorcist exists — TheExorcist, Mar 02 '23 at 08:09
I was hoping that building OpenCV would automatically add the library files to the Python distribution it found on the system, but it seems not to do that — Cypher, Mar 04 '23 at 06:02
@Cypher yes you can do that but you need to put a constraint of version of library else cmake build gonna give you error depending on sys arch, mostly building should be secondary pref. — TheExorcist, Mar 04 '23 at 06:05

score 6 · Answer 15 · answered Jan 03 '22 at 08:36

6

For python3x users

$ sudo pip3 install opencv-python

For python2x users

$ sudo pip install opencv-python

answered Jan 03 '22 at 08:36

Udesh

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This answer didn't work for me on raspbian, it installed fine but didn't solve the problem. – user230910 Mar 31 '22 at 06:45

Shiva Manhar · Answer 16 · 2018-06-02T11:21:53.307

If want to install opencv in virtual environment. Run command in terminal for getting virtual environment list.

conda env list

or jupyter notebook command is

!conda env list

Then update your anaconda.

conda update anaconda-navigator
conda update navigator-updater

Install opencv in your selected environment path.

conda install -c ['environment path'] opencv

Juypter notebook

!conda install --yes --prefix ['environment path'] opencv

score 2 · Answer 17 · answered Apr 02 '22 at 08:36

Create a virtual environment and then install open-cv there. It worked for me. And, it is best practice to create a virtual environment. Create a virtual environment:

python3 -m venv env

Activating virtual environment For Linux:

source env/bin/activate

Install OpenCV and other modules now.

pip3 install opencv-python

Above will work for linux. Similarly, you can create virtual environment for windows and then install opencv More on Virtual Environment:

score 0 · Answer 18 · answered Jul 25 '16 at 09:43

0

Try this out:

sudo ldconfig

sudo nano /etc/ld.so.conf.d/opencv.conf

and add this following line in the opencv.conf not in the command window

/usr/local/lib

Then:

sudo ldconfig

sudo nano /etc/bash.bashrc

and add this two lines in the bash.bashrc not in the command window

PKG_CONFIG_PATH=$PKG_CONFIG_PATH:/usr/local/lib/pkgconfig       
export PKG_CONFIG_PATH

at last reboot your Pi sudo reboot now

and try import cv2

answered Jul 25 '16 at 09:43

Tes3awy

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Can you please explain why these steps? How they are related to cv2? – Kishor Pawar Jan 31 '20 at 04:58

Eamonn Kenny · Answer 19 · 2020-04-17T10:33:26.520

0

I had the same problem, just couldn't figure it out with opencv2 and opencv3 installed into /opt/opencv and opencv3 respectively. Turned out that bloody anaconda install of opencv in my home directory was first on path and mangled opencv. Removed it and started using /opt/opencv3/lib as defined in /etc/ld.so.conf.d/opencv.conf. Worked perfectly first go. Do you have anaconda installed? Could be the issue.

edited Apr 17 '20 at 10:33

answered Aug 15 '16 at 10:19

Eamonn Kenny

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Can you tell me how you did it? – JaySabir Aug 20 '20 at 03:58

score 0 · Answer 20 · answered Sep 08 '19 at 18:46

Another way I got opencv to install and work was inside visual studio 2017 community. Visual studio has a nice python environment with debugging.
So from the vs python env window I searched and added opencv. Just thought I would share because I like to try things different ways and on different computers.

score 0 · Answer 21 · answered Aug 05 '20 at 11:58

I know you had the issue with Occidentalis, but I had the issue on Windows too, and I didn't found anything helpful. So if you have windows, and you've installed opencv, but you still get an Import error, this method will maybe solve the issue.

I managed to solve the issue, by reactivating anaconda.

First I deleted your\path\to\anaconda3 and your\path\to\anaconda3\Scripts from PATH (you will need these later, so remember these paths)

Then if you run python from cmd it will say:

Warning:
This Python interpreter is in a conda environment, but the environment has
not been activated. Libraries may fail to load. To activate this environment
please see https://conda.io/activation.

Then in Anaconda prompt I ran these:

your\path\to\anconda3\Scripts\activate base 
conda activate --stack your\path\to\anaconda3

I'm not sure about is this the easiest way to reactivate anaconda, but this is what worked for me.

score 0 · Answer 22 · answered Mar 04 '21 at 15:37

This is for those who are using ubuntu to run their script.py you have to copy cv2.so under your python pachkages dir and then resourcing your bachrc. here:

sudo cp -rfv /home/<user>/<your opencv file dir>/lib/cv2.so  /usr/local/lib/python2.7/site-packages/
export PYTHONPATH=/usr/local/lib/python2.7/site-packages:$PYTHONPATH

score 0 · Answer 23 · answered Jun 09 '22 at 12:59

0

This Question Have easy Solutions

Install Anconda Navigator
Then Go to Environment And Search "Opencv"
Add the Tick Mark and Apply Install
Finally slove the Problem

answered Jun 09 '22 at 12:59

Sanka Geethanjana

655
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score 0 · Answer 24 · answered Apr 11 '23 at 11:49

The best way for me to solve this problem was to install python3-venv and create a new environment, then install my packages, because any method presented here could not solve the problem and always resulted in the same error. Maybe my solution could be helpful to others:

1- install python3-venv
2- Create and activate new venv
3- pip3 install opencv-python

score -1 · Answer 25 · answered Sep 18 '22 at 16:43

-1

I worked with the code below and it worked perfectly well;

pip install opencv-python==4.6.0.66

answered Sep 18 '22 at 16:43

Moureen Caroline

177
1
5

Cannot find module cv2 when using OpenCV

25 Answers25

Linked

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