Python not configured for Tk

Question

I am using Ubuntu 13.10 and Python 3.3.4 using pyenv. I have no problem using other modules. When I enter python console and write

import tkinter

It outputs

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "<stdin>", line 1, in <module>
File "/home/serdar/.pyenv/versions/3.3.4/lib/python3.3/tkinter/__init__.py", line 40, in <module>
import _tkinter # If this fails your Python may not be configured for Tk
ImportError: No module named '_tkinter'

I already installed python3-tk and tk-devel.

Yes it worked but **pyenv** installs multiple version. You can change active python version with single command. It installs under ~/.pyenv/versions. `~/.pyenv/versions/3.3.4/bin/python3 -c'import tkinter'` didn't worked. — serdar, Mar 21 '14 at 21:03
if it works with `/usr/bin/python3` then try to recreate the environment — jfs, Mar 22 '14 at 02:27
@J.F.Sebastian JFI: [pyenv](https://github.com/yyuu/pyenv) works different from regular virtualenvs. — blueyed, Jul 08 '15 at 16:51
if you are using `pyenv` for Python environments management and want IDLE work there is step by step guide https://stackoverflow.com/questions/61870688/idle-and-tkinter-issue-with-tk-using-pyenv — nickolay, May 18 '20 at 22:06

score 37 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 08 '15 at 17:05

37

You need to have the Tk development files/headers available during pyenv install.

On Ubuntu (15.04) the following should provide them: sudo apt-get install tk-dev.

After this, pyenv install 3.4.3 (or pyenv install 2.7.10 etc) should pick it up and have support for Tk.

(Reference issue in pyenv)

answered Jul 08 '15 at 17:05

blueyed

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this should probably go in the pyenv faq – lbonn Jan 18 '17 at 09:09
I just added it to the requirements in common-build-problems wiki page – wassname Apr 05 '17 at 03:28
For Red Hat / Amazon Linux, this is: `sudo yum install tkinter` – StackG Nov 14 '18 at 04:53
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I'm having the same issue on MacOS. Anyone have ideas? – stackoverflax Jan 13 '19 at 09:07
This was my issue. I was still trying to get it to work without creating a new env – Austin not from Boston Sep 01 '21 at 21:04

score 18 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 31 '19 at 14:20

18

This is a guide for Mac users,

Uninstall your python version. For example: pyenv uninstall 3.7.2
Install TK: brew install tcl-tk
Follow the post install steps and config tk:

export LDFLAGS="-L/usr/local/opt/tcl-tk/lib"
export CPPFLAGS="-I/usr/local/opt/tcl-tk/include"
export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/opt/tcl-tk/bin

Reload your terminal session and make sure all settings above are correctly set
Install python: pyenv install 3.7.2

The TK should work now

answered Mar 31 '19 at 14:20

dpaluy

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thats correct. I've just posted the step by step guide for ones who may need it -https://stackoverflow.com/questions/61870688/idle-and-tkinter-issue-with-tk-using-pyenv – nickolay May 23 '20 at 23:05
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**ACTUALLY** What solved my problem is: `brew install python-tk` and not the tcl... thing. – JohnnyJS Aug 11 '21 at 08:42
thanks @JohnnyJS, your solution works for me. btw i'm on python-3.9 – Nurulazrad Murad Oct 14 '21 at 10:28
@JohnnyJS same here, your tip did it. Thank you – akes406 Nov 08 '21 at 18:39

score 4 · Answer 3 · edited Jan 15 '20 at 18:24

For Mac users,

Uninstall pyenv completely: brew uninstall pyenv && rm -rf ~/.pyenv.
install zlib, tcl-tk and pyenv

brew update
brew install zlib
brew install tcl-tk #otherwise we may have problems with tf package
brew install pyenv

Make compilers find zlib. Add this to your ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc (if you youse oh-my-zsh)

# For compilers to find zlib you may need to set:
export LDFLAGS="${LDFLAGS} -L/usr/local/opt/zlib/lib"
export CPPFLAGS="${CPPFLAGS} -I/usr/local/opt/zlib/include"

# For pkg-config to find zlib you may need to set:
export PKG_CONFIG_PATH="${PKG_CONFIG_PATH} /usr/local/opt/zlib/lib/pkgconfig"

Then you are set up!. For more details check this github gist.

Python not configured for Tk

3 Answers3

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