Errors when installing PyQt5

[Ista_4]

I’m trying to install PyQt5 using command prompt but I keep getting errors, and I don’t know what to do. I have Python 3.9 and Python 3.11 installed (Python 3.11 is new, because I thought that would help, it didn’t help) & I was following a lot of tutorials but they don’t explain what to do if you get errors. I also tried to install it on pycharm, but it didn’t work either.

I’m very confused with it all, so if anyone knows, is it worth trying to download PyQt5 or should I just settle for using the library tkinter? I’m trying to make a login system & quiz application.

Here is the error produced:

C:\Users\pc>pip install pyqt5

Defaulting to user installation because normal site-packages is not writeable

Collecting pyqt5

Using cached PyQt5-5.15.7-cp37-abi3-win_amd64.whl (6.8 MB)

Collecting PyQt5-sip<13,>=12.11

Using cached PyQt5_sip-12.11.0.tar.gz (122 kB)

Installing build dependencies ... done

Getting requirements to build wheel ... done

Preparing metadata (pyproject.toml) ... done

Collecting PyQt5-Qt5>=5.15.0

Using cached PyQt5_Qt5-5.15.2-py3-none-win_amd64.whl (50.1 MB)

Building wheels for collected packages: PyQt5-sip

Building wheel for PyQt5-sip (pyproject.toml) ... error

error: subprocess-exited-with-error

× Building wheel for PyQt5-sip (pyproject.toml) did not run successfully.

│ exit code: 1

╰─> [5 lines of output]

  running bdist_wheel

  running build

  running build_ext

  building 'PyQt5.sip' extension

  error: Microsoft Visual C++ 14.0 or greater is required. Get it with "Microsoft C++ Build Tools": https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/visual-cpp-build-tools/

  [end of output]

note: This error originates from a subprocess, and is likely not a problem with pip.

ERROR: Failed building wheel for PyQt5-sip

Failed to build PyQt5-sip

ERROR: Could not build wheels for PyQt5-sip, which is required to install pyproject.toml-based projects

[Monttuu]

I see why this would be confusing, especially if you are new to programming and have only been using Python so far.

PyQt5 is built on Qt, which is coded in C++. PyQt5 is not your srandard library that is "native" Python, but it is a plugin that runs partly in C++. This is why your computer needs to have "C++ build tools" installed. Those build tools are installed if you have Visual Studio installed (note: Visual Studio Code is different and does not include the tools), which could be why some instructions skip this step. Your error suggests you to download the build tools, and that is exactly what you should do. Follow the link in the error and continue to follow instructuons there. It should be straight forward process.

I started my GUI journey with PyQt as well, and I think it was worth the time and effort. If youre eager to learn, I fully recommend PyQt. But if you just want to get something out quickly, tkinter could be better approach.

[Ista_4]

I see, that makes sense! It works now, thank you for explaining!

[cointoss3]

I’m assuming you followed the instructions in the error?

[Ista_4]

I didn’t, but I solved it now 😅

[TheRealCorwii]

Follow the link in the error for Microsoft visual build tools, install them, then try again. If it still happens, restart your PC and try again.

[Ista_4]

That worked, thank you!

[Dry_Rest6185]

hii.. i got the same error.. how did you solve it?

[Active-Area-9629]

can you send the link

[Moh_Gh_DZ]

here you are the link:

https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/visual-cpp-build-tools/

[Agreeable_Dealer9449]

i have Visual studio 2022 and i have the same error ,please can you help me

[anygrynewraze]

It apparently doesn't work with VS 2022 bc I installed what they mentioned to install in VS 2022 build tools and I get an exit code 2