How to Fix Error Python Interpreter Is Not Selected

As a Python developer, you may have encountered the error “Python interpreter is not selected” at some point in your programming journey. This error can be frustrating and make running your Python code difficult.

In this article, I’ll explain this error and how you can fix it in your code editor or integrated development environment (IDE).

What Does “Python Interpreter Is Not Selected” Mean?

Before diving into how to fix this error, it’s important to understand what it means. When you run Python code, you need a Python interpreter to execute the code. The interpreter is a program that reads and executes your code. Without an interpreter, your code cannot be run.

The “Python interpreter is not selected” error occurs when you try to run Python code in your code editor or IDE, but the interpreter is not configured correctly. This could be because you haven’t selected an interpreter or because the one you selected is not working correctly.

How to Fix the “Python Interpreter Is Not Selected” Error?

Now that you understand what the “Python interpreter is not selected” error means let’s look at how you can fix it. Depending on your specific situation, you can try a few different methods.

Method 1: Select a Python Interpreter

If you haven’t selected a Python interpreter in your code editor or IDE, you’ll need to do so before you can run your code.

Here’s how to select a Python interpreter in some popular code editors and IDEs:

Visual Studio Code

1. Open Visual Studio Code and go to the “View” menu.
2. Click on “Command Palette” in the menu.
3. In the command palette, type “python” and select “Python: Select Interpreter” from the list of options.
4. In the “Select Python Interpreter” window, select the Python interpreter you want to use from the list of available interpreters.

PyCharm

1. Open PyCharm and go to the “File” menu.
2. Click on “Settings” in the menu.
3. In the settings window, navigate to the “Project” tab on the left.
4. Under the “Project” tab, select the “Project Interpreter” option.
5. In the “Project Interpreter” window, click on the gear icon next to the interpreter dropdown menu.
6. In the “Add Python Interpreter” window, select the Python interpreter you want to use from the list of available interpreters.

Related: Error: ‘Python’ is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file

Method 2: Check for Any Issues with Your Python Interpreter

Suppose you have already selected a Python interpreter in your code editor or IDE, but you still get the “Python interpreter is not selected” error. In that case, there may be an issue with the interpreter you have selected.

Here are a few things you can try to fix this issue:

1. Make sure the Python interpreter you have selected is installed on your machine.
2. Check for any compatibility issues with your code editor or IDE. Some code editors or IDEs may not be compatible with certain versions of Python.
3. Check for any errors or issues with the Python interpreter itself. This could be caused by a damaged installation or a problem with the interpreter’s configuration.

Method 3: Use a Different Code Editor or IDE

If you’re still having trouble running your Python code after trying the first two methods, you may want to try using a different code editor or IDE. Some code editors or IDEs may be more compatible with certain versions of Python or may have better support for troubleshooting interpreter issues.

Here are a few popular code editors and IDEs you can try:

• Eclipse with the PyDev plugin
• PyCharm
• Visual Studio Code
• Atom
• Sublime Text

Remember that you’ll still need to follow the steps in Method 1 to select a Python interpreter in your new code editor or IDE.

Conclusion

If you’re encountering the “Python interpreter is not selected” error, you can try a few different methods to fix it. The first step is to make sure you have selected a Python interpreter in your code editor or IDE.

If you have already selected an interpreter, you may need to check for any issues with the interpreter itself or try using a different code editor or IDE. By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the “Python interpreter is not selected” error and successfully run your Python code.