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Encountered Error: "No module named 'openvino'." When Running any OpenVINO™ Toolkit Sample or Demo

Content Type: Error Messages   |   Article ID: 000059190   |   Last Reviewed: 03/06/2026

Environment

Operating System

Mac OS*, Windows® 10, 64-bit*
Mac OS* Windows® 10, 64‑bit* Ubuntu* 18.04.x long‑term support (LTS), 64‑bit Ubuntu* 20.04.0 long‑term support (LTS), 64‑bit Raspbian* Buster, 32‑bit Raspbian* Stretch, 32‑bit

Description

When running an OpenVINO™ Python* sample, demo, or custom script, the following error is encountered:
No module named 'openvino'.

Resolution

This error occurs when the OpenVINO™ Python module is not available in the Python* environment used to run the sample or demo.

If OpenVINO™ was installed using a Python package, ensure that OpenVINO is installed in the same Python environment used to execute the script.

Install OpenVINO™ using: pip install openvino

 

If OpenVINO™ was installed using a legacy installer, initialize the OpenVINO™ environment before running the sample.

For Windows*
Run: <INSTALL_DIR>\openvino_<version>\bin\setupvars.bat

 

For Linux*, macOS*, and Raspbian*
Run: source /opt/intel/openvino_<version>/bin/setupvars.sh

Additional information

Run setupvars script for every new terminal because OpenVINO™ toolkit environment variables are removed when the terminal is closed.

Related Products

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