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 ^^

Answers:

Thank you for visiting the Q&A section on Magenaut. Please note that all the answers may not help you solve the issue immediately. So please treat them as advisements. If you found the post helpful (or not), leave a comment & I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Method 1

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

Method 2

For my case, install and reinstall pywin32 doesn’t help. After copied the two files from [installation directory of Anaconda]Libsite-packagespywin32_system32 to C:WindowsSystem32, it works.

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

Method 3

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

Method 4

Run Scriptspywin32_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:WINDOWSsystem32, 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)

Method 5

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

Method 6

This happens when Libsite-packagespywin32_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:...Libsite-packagespywin32_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"]

Method 7

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

Method 8

According to pywin32 github you must run

pip install pywin32

and after that, you must run

python pathtopythonScriptspywin32_postinstall.py -install

taken from here. worked for me!

Method 9

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

Method 10

pypiwin32 is an outdated distribution. Uninstall it and install pywin32:

pip uninstall pypiwin32
pip install pywin32

Method 11

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]anaconda3envs[ENVIRONMENT]Scripts

Run the post install script that was added when installing PyWin32

• python pywin32_postinstall.py -install

Method 12

Yes it works!

C:ProgramDataAnaconda3>py Scriptspywin32_postinstall.py -install

Parsed arguments are: Namespace(destination=’C:ProgramDataAnaconda3Libsite-packages’, install=True, quiet=False, remove=False, silent=False, wait=None)
Copied pythoncom38.dll to C:WINDOWSsystem32pythoncom38.dll
Copied pywintypes38.dll to C:WINDOWSsystem32pywintypes38.dll
Registered: Python.Interpreter
Registered: Python.Dictionary
Registered: Python
-> SoftwarePythonPythonCore3.8Help[None]=None
-> SoftwarePythonPythonCore3.8HelpPythonwin Reference[None]=’C:ProgramDataAnaconda3Libsite-packagesPyWin32.chm’
Registered help file
Pythonwin has been registered in context menu
Creating directory C:ProgramDataAnaconda3Libsite-packageswin32comgen_py
Can’t install shortcuts – ‘C:ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsPython 3.8’ is not a folder
The pywin32 extensions were successfully installed.

Method 13

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

Method 14

version 228 works best for me in Windows 10

pip uninstall pywin32
pip install pywin32==228

Method 15

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]Libsite-packagespywin32_system32 (there are only 2 files in this folder) and paste to C:WindowsSystem32.

   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.

Method 16

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:ProgramDataAnaconda3Scripts

python pywin32_postinstall.py -install

Method 17

In the referecne to this comment question

where is this Libsite-packagespywin32_system32 path?

Go to C directory, Users , your username , anaconda3 ,Lib, site-packages,pywin32_system32. you can find easily.

C:UsersHPanaconda3Libsite-packagespywin32_system32

Method 18

Currently there are two copies of the pythoncom*.dll files in directories.
Pycharm is using the copy in directory C:WindowsSystem32:-

C:WindowsSystem32
C:UserssharandiAppDataLocalProgramsPythonPython38Libsite-packagespywin32_system32

The files are: –
pythoncom38.dll – 559 KB
pywintypes38.dll – 138 KB

Method 19

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!

Method 20

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

Method 21

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.

Method 22

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

Method 23

hi this question i’m solve as below:
1.check directory C:WindowsSystem32, is exist these file?
pythoncom37.dll pywintypes37.dll or pythoncom36.dll pywintypes36.dll
the number is python version .

2. if the file is exist delete it.

and then this issue will be solve.

Method 24

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.

Method 25

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….

Method 26

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 !!

Method 27

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

All methods was sourced from stackoverflow.com or stackexchange.com, is licensed under cc by-sa 2.5, cc by-sa 3.0 and cc by-sa 4.0