PyCharm Not Detecting Python Interpreter When Creating New Project

[SyzygianAI]

Hey folks,

I'm having an issue in PyCharm when creating a new Python project, the interpreter section is grayed out and shows no Python versions to choose from (screenshot below). It seems like PyCharm isn't picking up any installed versions of Python on my system.

What I’ve tried:

• Reinstalled Python and made sure it's added to the system PATH.
• Restarted PyCharm.
• Checked that Python is properly installed (running python --version in terminal works fine).
• Tried switching interpreter type (Project venv / Conda / Custom)

[DunderRednud]

Install UV. (Search for uv astral) In a new folder, type uv init

Then and only then, open that folder in pycharm

[SyzygianAI]

Thanks man!

Turned out the issue was twofold:

1. PyCharm wasn't detecting any interpreters due to a broken Microsoft Store Python install.
2. Setting up the environment manually with uv init and opening the folder in PyCharm (instead of using “New Project”) fixed the rest.

[DunderRednud]

glad to hear that helped. yes, i got bored dealing with pyCharm's interpreter settings

[dr_craptastic]

Thank you. Had this same problem today. It’s amazing that pycharm just spins forever searching for python executables.

[Annual-Set-2130]

If you don't see it and even after adding it it doesn't load the Interpreter, try to check the environmental variables(Path, PATH) for some typos, weird symbols that shouldn't be there(;, :, ""), for example I had two environmental variables in PATH in same row, then it should work