Python is one of the most popular programming languages in the world right now, not just because it’s easy to pick up and learn by just about anyone regardless of their programming experience, but also because of its extensive library of third-party plugins that make it compatible with just about everything.
In this article, we’re talking about errors in the Python3-libcamera library, their causes and what you can do to fix the problem.
What causes errors in Python3-libcamera
The main cause of issues with Python3-libcamera is the libcamera standalone library itself. If you have both of them installed in their default locations, they can cause conflicts which means you won’t be able to import either in your app. Other common factors include:
- Improper installation
- Outdated Python version
- Outdated Pip version
Also read: How to fix Fatal error: Python.h: No such file or directory?
How to fix errors in Python3-libcamera?
Here are four fixes you can try out.
Remove both libraries
The first thing you should try is removing both the libraries and installing python3-libcamera again. Just run the following command.
sudo apt-get remove --purge python3-picamera2
sudo apt remove libcamera0Once the libraries have been removed, you can reinstall python3-libcamera using this command.
sudo apt install -y python3-libcameraCheck library version
Since python3-libcamera is open source and interfaces with open-source hardware, there are several versions of the library available across the internet. If you’re using something like the Arducam proprietary software, there’s a good chance that you might end up installing a different version which might not be compatible with your OS, development environment or hardware.
Manually install the library
If fetching the library from Pip isn’t working, try downloading the specific wheel file of the library version you want and installing it using this command.
python3 -m pip install ./path/to/fileYou can access the PiWheels archive here. The list is rather rudimentary in terms of its user interface, but a simple search will help you find the library quickly.
Update Pip
Finally, try updating Pip to see if it’s the package manager itself that’s causing the issue. While it should work flawlessly mostly, at times older versions of Pip can run into problems when trying to install newer packages, especially ones that have been recently updated.
You can check out our detailed guide on updating Pip here.
Also read: Fix: Fatal error in launcher: Unable to create process using PiP
