Getting "No module named '_tkinter'" error

Bug report

I just wanted to use matplotlib to draw a line graph and save it to a file, but every time I try to import the pyplot module I get the abovementioned error message.

python3 -c "import matplotlib.pyplot"

Actual outcome

>>> import matplotlib.pyplot
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<stdin>", line 1, in <module>
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.6/site-packages/matplotlib/pyplot.py", line 115, in <module>
    _backend_mod, new_figure_manager, draw_if_interactive, _show = pylab_setup()
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.6/site-packages/matplotlib/backends/__init__.py", line 32, in pylab_setup
    globals(),locals(),[backend_name],0)
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.6/site-packages/matplotlib/backends/backend_tkagg.py", line 6, in <module>
    from six.moves import tkinter as Tk
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.6/site-packages/six.py", line 92, in __get__
    result = self._resolve()
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.6/site-packages/six.py", line 115, in _resolve
    return _import_module(self.mod)
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.6/site-packages/six.py", line 82, in _import_module
    __import__(name)
  File "/usr/local/lib/python3.6/tkinter/__init__.py", line 36, in <module>
    import _tkinter # If this fails your Python may not be configured for Tk
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named '_tkinter'

Expected outcome

Whatever happens when import matplotlib.pyplot succeeds

Matplotlib version

Operating System: Windows Subsystem for Linux
Matplotlib Version: 2.0.2
Python Version: 3.6.0

I installed matplotlib using pip.
Doing sudo apt-get install python3-tk, as recommended by someone on Stack Overflow, didn't help.

How did you install mpl?

Can you do import tkinter in a python shell?

If you built from source suspect you also need the tk dev packages as well?

This is the first report (that I can recall) of using Matplotilb in Windows Subsystem for Linux, you may be a guinea pig 😅 Any notes from you experience with this that could go in the docs would be very appreciated!

I installed matplotlib using pip.

😛

I installed Python 3.6 from source though, omitting the tk packages as I didn't need them.
Guess I'll try that tomorrow while upgrading to 3.6.2.

Oh, that is easy to fix then

import matplotlib
matplotlib.use('agg')
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

If you didn't install tk in your python then you can not use the tk backend.

Or update your matplotlibrc file to use a different default backend

…

On Thu, Aug 10, 2017 at 5:58 PM, Thomas A Caswell ***@***.***> wrote: Oh, that is easy to fix then import matplotlib matplotlib.use('agg')import matplotlib.pyplot as plt If you didn't install tk in your python then you can not use the tk backend. — You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#9017 (comment)>, or mute the thread <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AARy-K7c5fXOPUz1laRcc1sOQdNaaik5ks5sW3z2gaJpZM4Oz_H8> .

Closing as this is apparently a python install issue -- but feel free to request a reopen if something else is wrong, or to suggest some change in the docs.

My 2c: should be reopened for the following reason:

from matplotlib import pyplot as plt
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named '_tkinter'
import matplotlib
matplotlib.use("agg")
UserWarning: 
This call to matplotlib.use() has no effect...
from matplotlib import pyplot as plt
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named '_tkinter'

First error is fine, but the second error is not.
IMO it's not OK that state is messed up and user cannot recover.

Pyplot sets the backend if it’s lot been set already. The user only need move the import matpltolib and matplotlib.use before the pyplot import.

That's exactly the problem -- requiring user to do something before they know they need it.

The issue of pyplot setting the backend is currently being worked on from multiple angles. This has been a long-standing issue, and it is a very tricky issue to address. One of the first features that'll likely come out of it is configuring matplotlib by default to respect a hierarchy of backend choices, so it can fail-over more gracefully to other backends.

…

On Thu, Dec 7, 2017 at 2:25 AM, Dima Tisnek ***@***.***> wrote: That's exactly the problem -- requiring user to do something before they know they need it. — You are receiving this because you commented. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#9017 (comment)>, or mute the thread <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AARy-FOL1l1j6iCIORYW9EX2TO7RAuWYks5s95L6gaJpZM4Oz_H8> .

on minimal install centos7.

first

yum install -y tkinter tk-devel

then in ipython env,

import matplotlib
matplotlib.use('agg')
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt # no error, it works
plt.figure(1).show()

arisen：

/root/venv36/lib/python3.6/site-packages/matplotlib/figure.py:418: UserWarning: matplotlib is currently using a non-GUI backend, so cannot show the figure
"matplotlib is currently using a non-GUI backend, "

I have already Configure X11 forwarding on xshell with the steps of http://www.doxer.org/use-xming-xshell-putty-tightvnc-to-display-linux-gui-on-windows-desktop-x11-forwarding-when-behind-firewall/

but it still not work

@shenjiefeng

@shenjiefeng with matplotlib.use('agg') you are explicitly asked for a non-GUI backend.

This question would be better handled on the mailing list [email protected] (https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/matplotlib-users you will have to subscribe to post un-moderated).

fixed matplotlib import error for systems without TkInter installed.

Oh, that is easy to fix then
import matplotlib
matplotlib.use('agg')
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
If you didn't install tk in your python then you can not use the tk backend.

That is used for me.
In some Saas platforms, users are forbiden to change system environment, so fix like this will help.
Thank you very much.

It's a total bummer that matplotlib initializes the backend early, and fails hard.
Perhaps there's a good reason for that.
From what I see, a notable share of users stumbles on this when trying matplotlib for the first time, i.e. if they copy-paste an example and boom! a cryptic exception instead of pretty plots.
I sincerely hope that the maintainers take a second look at this issue.

3.0.0 will change the backend fallback behaviour.

From what I see, a notable share of users stumbles on this when trying matplotlib for the first time, i.e. if they copy-paste an example and boom! a cryptic exception instead of pretty plots.

The other option is no exceptions and no plots. The cryptic error at least suggests that something is not behaving as expected.

@jklymak

Thanks @jklymak that's very good to hear!

in my case on manjaro Linux, installing python-pmw worked it out.

Comment out usages of matplot, which cause an exception when running …

Thank you very much.

…

On Sat, Nov 9, 2019 at 6:40 PM MilanP28 ***@***.***> wrote: sudo apt-get install python3-tk Then, import tkinter # all fine Full source code at icetutor <https://icetutor.com/question/matplotlib-error-no-module-named-tkinter/> — You are receiving this because you commented. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#9017?email_source=notifications&email_token=AHLQRJAU6PJ7KDMAXNMUWKTQS3HGTA5CNFSM4DWP6H6KYY3PNVWWK3TUL52HS4DFVREXG43VMVBW63LNMVXHJKTDN5WW2ZLOORPWSZGOEDUIFWY#issuecomment-552108763>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AHLQRJEDNG3WXDFOCOAYU23QS3HGTANCNFSM4DWP6H6A> .

lt;dr?
upgrade to >3.0.0

I am still getting this on matplotlib=3.2.1. Also, why is tkinter not just a dependency of matplotlib? This is messing up package management for me.

@jorijnsmit Can you open a new issue that explains what you are trying to do. w/ 3.2.1 you should get a fallback to agg at the very least.

@jorijnsmit We do not have a hard dependency on an GUI toolkit because there are many uses where you do not need it (batch jobs, use in a notebook, in a webserver etc).

The dependency on Tk is further complicated because the bindings are part of the standard library, but some packagers split it out into a separate package. If you think the Matplotliblib package should depend on the python-tk package, please take that up with the maintainers of your packaging tool.

I know this is an old issue, but I found the most reliable solution to this on macOS, especially in combination with the PyCharm debugger crashing due to matplotlib related tk issues, was to use the backend 'macosx'.

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Getting "No module named '_tkinter'" error #9017

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tacaswell commented on Aug 10, 2017

SamusAranX commented on Aug 10, 2017

tacaswell commented on Aug 10, 2017

WeatherGod commented on Aug 11, 2017

anntzer commented on Aug 17, 2017

dimaqq commented on Dec 7, 2017

jklymak commented on Dec 7, 2017

dimaqq commented on Dec 7, 2017

WeatherGod commented on Dec 7, 2017

shenjiefeng commented on Feb 23, 2018

tacaswell commented on Feb 23, 2018

CarlWilson111 commented on Sep 18, 2018

dimaqq commented on Sep 18, 2018

jklymak commented on Sep 18, 2018

tacaswell commented on Sep 18, 2018

dimaqq commented on Sep 19, 2018

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tacaswell commented on Jun 2, 2020

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