The “pip” package organization system is used to install and run Python software packages. Usually, Python Package Index packages make use of it. Many customers report getting the error notice ‘”pip” is not recognized as an internal or external command’ when installing Python packages and are unsure about how to fix it. Read on for advice on how to resolve this mistake if you’re experiencing it.
What Causes The PIP Not Showing Error?
There are 2 main reasons for this error. Both of them are mentioned below for better understanding.
PIP Not Installed in System Variable
The path to your pip installation must be added to your PATH system variable for Python commands to be executed from a Windows Command Prompt. It ought to be immediately added if you installed Python using the installation file.
Installation Added to Path Incorrectly
The issue might just be a typo if the path was manually added. A mistake will be made if a space or a semicolon is lacking before the new path.
How to Fix PIP Not Showing in Command Prompt/CMD
There are multiple ways of fixing the issue of PIP not showing. Some of them are listed below. These different methods are for different situations and scenarios. You can try them and see which one works for you.
Method 1: Make Sure PIP is added to the Path Variable
Sometimes, the PIP is not added to the path variable. You need to make of its presence for the error to go away. You can skip this method if you are sure of adding PIP to the Path Variable. However, if you are unsure, do this.
Step 1: Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialogue box.
Step 2: Search for cmd and press Enter.
Step 3: Check the list of all the locations added to your Path Variable by typing “echo %PATH%“ into the command prompt and then press Enter.
Step 4: If you spot a path like “C:\Python38\Scripts” (depends on your version of Python), the path was added to the PATH variable.
If you can not see the PIP, try the next method.
Method 2: Add PIP to Path Environment
Method 1 will reveal the status of the PIP in your system. You will have to install the PIP manually if you can not find it in your system. Here are the steps for doing it.
Step 1: Press Windows Key + R to launch the Run dialogue box
Step 2: Type in “sysdm.cpl” and press Enter to launch the System Properties Screen
Step 3: On the System Properties screen, go to the Advanced Tab and Click on Environment Variables at the bottom of the screen.
Step 4: On the Environment Variable Screen, go to System Variables and select Path by clicking on it and select Edit
Step 5: On the Edit Environment Variable, click New and add the path with the location of the PIP installation. For Python 3.8, the default location is C:\Python38\Scripts.
Step 6: After the path is added, open a new CMD window and try to install the Python package that comes with it. You should no longer see the error.
Method 3: Add PIP to the Environment Path with CMD
A faster and easier way to set up the PIP Environment Variable is doing it directly from the CMD window.
Step 1: Open the Command Prompt by following the steps given above.
Step 2: Type in the following command in the Command Prompt to set the PIP installation to the Environment Variable.
setx PATH “%PATH%;C:\Python38\Scripts”
Note: In the command, we have used the default location for Python 3.8. Change the path after “;” accordingly, if you have a customized location or a different version of Python.
Step 3: Install a Python(using PIP) to see if the method was successful. Move on to the next method if you are still facing problems.
Method 4: Opening Python Package Without PIP
There are a few other commands you may use to install a Python package from CMD if you don’t want to add PIP to the PATH environment variable. If you configured the environment PATH variable using the methods mentioned above but are still getting the error message, try this as well.
Faster Method
Step 1: Open Command Prompt
Step 2: Type in the command:
python -m pip install [packagename]
Note: Replace “package name” with the package you are trying to install.
Longer Method
Step 1: Open Command Prompt by pressing Windows Key + R and then searching for cmd in the dialogue box.
Step 2: Type in the following command to see where the Python .whl file is located
cd C:\python installs
Note: Adjust this command based on the location of your .whl file.
Step 3: Run the below-mentioned command to install the Python package with PIP
c:\python37\scripts\pip.exe install [package].whl
Note: If you have an older version of Python or if you installed it in a special location, modify the location of your installation. Also, be careful to replace [package] with the name of your own package.
If all of these methods did not work for you, then you need to make sure that PIP file is present with the Python package. We check that in the next method.
Method 5: Ensure the Presence of PIP file in the Installation Package
Let’s check to see if PIP was left out of the Python installation before moving further and reinstalling the entire Python environment. The default installation of PIP is skipped by some Python installers. Fortunately, you can fix this by installing PIP by changing the Python installation. Here is a little explanation on how to accomplish it:
Step 1: Press Windows Key + R to open Run and then type in “appwiz.cpl” and press Enter. This will open Programs and Features.
Step 2: Inside the menu, right click on the Python Installation and Click Change
Step 3: On the Modify Setup Screen, click Modify.
Step 4: Click on the box for PIP on the Optional Features screen and click Next.
Step 5: Press the Install button to implement changes to the Python installation
Step 6: After the installation is modified, open the CMD window and try to install Python again without the “pip not working” prompt.
These are the methods with which you can get rid of the “PIP Not Showing in Command Prompt” error. Hopefully, this article helped you eliminate the issue and run Python smoothly without any errors.
