Python Import Path Mismatch Debugging

---
name: python-import-path-mismatch-debugging
description: Diagnose and fix ModuleNotFoundError when a package is installed but imports still fail due to environment/path mismatches
version: 1.0.0
source: auto-extracted
extracted: 2026-04-10
metadata:
  tags: ["python", "debugging", "environment", "imports"]
---

# Python Import Path Mismatch Debugging

When a ModuleNotFoundError occurs for an installed package, the issue is often an environment or path mismatch rather than a missing installation. Check: (1) which Python interpreter the CLI/script is using via `which python` or shebang lines, (2) confirm the package is installed in that specific environment with `pip list`, and (3) verify the active virtual environment matches where the package was installed. Use `python -c "import module; print(module.__file__)"` to trace which environment Python is actually loading from.