AttributeError: module has no attribute (Fix)

Fix the error AttributeError: module has no attribute by checking what module Python imported, whether the attribute name is correct, and whether your own file name is hiding the real module.

Quick fix

import math
print(math.sqrt(9))

# Check what names the module actually has
print(dir(math))

If the attribute is missing, check:

the spelling
your import statement
whether you named your own file the same as the module

What this error means

This error means:

Python successfully imported a module
but Python could not find the attribute name you tried to use

In this error, an attribute can be:

a function
a class
a variable
a submodule

So if you write something like module_name.some_name, Python expects some_name to exist inside that module. If it does not, you get an AttributeError.

If you want a deeper explanation of attributes on non-module objects, see AttributeError: object has no attribute (Fix).

Simple example that causes the error

import math

print(math.random())

This raises an error because:

the math module exists
but random() is not part of math

You would see an error like this:

AttributeError: module 'math' has no attribute 'random'

The correct module here is random, not math:

import random

print(random.random())

Most common causes

The most common reasons are:

misspelled attribute name
using the wrong module
naming your own file the same as a standard library module
importing the module in a different way than expected
using code from a different Python version
trying to use a submodule without importing it correctly

Fix 1: Check the attribute name

A very common cause is simply typing the wrong name.

Python is case-sensitive, so these are different:

math.sqrt
math.Sqrt
math.SQRT

Use dir() explained to see what names a module really has.

import math

print(dir(math))

If you are looking for a specific name:

import math

print("sqrt" in dir(math))     # True
print("random" in dir(math))   # False

This helps you quickly spot:

spelling mistakes
wrong capitalization
names that do not exist in that module

Fix 2: Make sure you imported the correct module

Beginners often expect a function to be in one module when it actually belongs to another.

Example:

random.randint() belongs to random
not math

Wrong:

import math

print(math.randint(1, 10))

Correct:

import random

print(random.randint(1, 10))

If you are unsure what a module contains, use help() explained:

import random

help(random)

You can also review how to import a module in Python if import statements still feel confusing.

Fix 3: Check for file naming conflicts

This is one of the most common beginner mistakes.

If your file is named something like:

random.py
math.py
json.py
os.py

then Python may import your file instead of the real module.

For example, if your script is named random.py:

import random

print(random.randint(1, 10))

you may get an error because Python imported your own random.py file, not the standard library random module.

How to fix it

Rename your file
Example: change random.py to my_random_test.py
Delete cached files if they exist:
- __pycache__/
- .pyc files
Run the script again

This problem is also related to import errors such as ImportError: No module named X and ImportError: cannot import name.

Fix 4: Check what Python actually imported

If you are not sure what Python imported, print the module itself.

import json

print(json)

You might see output like:

<module 'json' from '/Users/you/project/json.py'>

If that path points to your project file, then your file is shadowing the real module.

You can also inspect __file__ directly:

import json

print(json.__file__)

For some modules, __file__ may not exist, so a safer version is:

import json

print(getattr(json, "__file__", "built-in module"))

If the path is wrong, rename the conflicting file and remove __pycache__.

If you want to understand why Python chooses one file over another, read how import works in Python.

Fix 5: Verify your import style

Different import styles give you access to names in different ways.

Style 1: Import the module

import math

print(math.sqrt(16))

Here you must use math.sqrt.

Style 2: Import one name directly

from math import sqrt

print(sqrt(16))

Here you use sqrt directly, not math.sqrt.

A common mistake

from math import sqrt

print(math.sqrt(16))

This fails because you did not import the name math.

Another common mistake:

import math

print(sqrt(16))

This fails because you imported the module, not the name sqrt directly.

Make sure the way you call the name matches the way you imported it.

Fix 6: Check Python version differences

Sometimes the attribute exists only in a different Python version.

This can happen when:

you copy code from an older tutorial
you follow documentation for a newer Python version
a package changed its API between versions

Check your version with:

python --version

If example code does not match your environment, compare:

your Python version
the tutorial's Python version
the package version, if it is not part of the standard library

Debugging steps in order

When you see this error, go through these steps:

Read the exact module name in the error message
Read the exact attribute name that Python could not find
Run dir(module_name)
Print module_name
Print module_name.__file__ if available
Look for local files with the same module name
Confirm that your import statement matches how you use the name
Check your Python version if needed

Here are some useful commands:

python --version
python -c "import math; print(dir(math))"
python -c "import json; print(json)"
python -c "import json; print(getattr(json, '__file__', 'built-in module'))"

Common mistakes

These are the most common specific causes:

Typing the wrong function or attribute name
Using the wrong module for that function
Local file name conflicts such as json.py or random.py
Incorrect import style
Version mismatch between your Python install and example code

FAQ

Why does this happen even though I installed the module?

The module may be installed correctly, but:

the attribute name may be wrong
that attribute may not exist in your version
a local file with the same name may be hiding the real module

How do I know whether Python imported the wrong file?

Print the module object or module.__file__.

Example:

import json

print(json)
print(getattr(json, "__file__", "built-in module"))

If the path points to your project file, your file is shadowing the real module.

What is an attribute in this error?

An attribute is a name inside an object.

For modules, an attribute can be:

a function
a variable
a class
a submodule

Can dir() help fix this error?

Yes. dir(module_name) shows the names available on the module.

That helps you find:

misspellings
wrong assumptions about the module
missing attributes