[python] ImportError: DLL load failed: The specified module could not be found

I have installed Python 2.5.4, Numpy 1.5.0 win32, Matplotlib 1.0.0 win32, pywin32 218. Still not able to plot graphs in Python. Here is the error I am getting :

      import pylab
   File "C:\Python25\lib\site-packages\pylab.py", line 1, in <module>
      from matplotlib.pylab import *
   File "C:\Python25\lib\site-packages\matplotlib\pylab.py", line 216, in <module>
      from matplotlib import mpl  # pulls in most modules
   File "C:\Python25\lib\site-packages\matplotlib\mpl.py", line 1, in <module>
      from matplotlib import artist
   File "C:\Python25\lib\site-packages\matplotlib\artist.py", line 6, in <module>
      from transforms import Bbox, IdentityTransform, TransformedBbox, TransformedPath
   File "C:\Python25\lib\site-packages\matplotlib\transforms.py", line 34, in <module>
      from matplotlib._path import affine_transform
ImportError: DLL load failed: The specified module could not be found.

Please kindly help..

To make it short, it means that you lacked some "dependencies" for the libraries you wanted to use. Before trying to use any kind of library, first it is suggested to look up whether it needs another library in python "family". What do I mean?

Downloading "dlls" is something that I avoid. I had the same problem with another library "kivy". The problem occurred when I wanted to use Python 3.4v instead of 3.5 Everything was working correctly in 3.5 but I just wanted to use the stable version for kivy which is 3.4 as they officially "advise". So, I switched to 3.4 but then I had the very same "dll" error saying lots of things are missing. So I checked the website and learned that I needed to install extra "dependencies" from the official website of kivy, then the problem got solved.

Installing the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015, 2017 and 2019 worked for me with a similar problem, and helped with another (slightly different) driver issue.

I had the same issue with importing matplotlib.pylab with Python 3.5.1 on Win 64. Installing the Visual C++ Redistributable für Visual Studio 2015 from this links: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=48145 fixed the missing DLLs.

I find it better and easier than downloading and pasting DLLs.

Quick note: Check if you have other Python versions, if you have removed them, make sure you did that right. If you have Miniconda on your system then Python will not be removed easily.

What worked for me: removed other Python versions and the Miniconda, reinstalled Python and the matplotlib library and everything worked great.

For Windows 10 x64 and Python:

Open a Visual Studio x64 command prompt, and use dumpbin:

dumpbin /dependents [Python Module DLL or PYD file]

If you do not have Visual Studio installed, it is possible to download dumpbin elsewhere, or use another utility such as Dependency Walker.

Note that all other answers (to date) are simply random stabs in the dark, whereas this method is closer to a sniper rifle with night vision.

Case study 1

1. I switched on Address Sanitizer for a Python module that I wrote using C++ using MSVC and CMake.

2. It was giving this error: ImportError: DLL load failed: The specified module could not be found

3. Opened a Visual Studio x64 command prompt.

4. Under Windows, a .pyd file is a .dll file in disguise, so we want to run dumpbin on this file.

5. cd MyLibrary\build\lib.win-amd64-3.7\Debug

6. dumpbin /dependents MyLibrary.cp37-win_amd64.pyd which prints this:

   Microsoft (R) COFF/PE Dumper Version 14.27.29112.0
   Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.
   
   
   Dump of file MyLibrary.cp37-win_amd64.pyd
   
   File Type: DLL
   
     Image has the following dependencies:
   
       clang_rt.asan_dbg_dynamic-x86_64.dll
       gtestd.dll
       tbb_debug.dll
       python37.dll
       KERNEL32.dll
       MSVCP140D.dll
       VCOMP140D.DLL
       VCRUNTIME140D.dll
       VCRUNTIME140_1D.dll
       ucrtbased.dll
   
     Summary
   
        1000 .00cfg
       D6000 .data
        7000 .idata
       46000 .pdata
      341000 .rdata
       23000 .reloc
        1000 .rsrc
      856000 .text
   

7. Searched for clang_rt.asan_dbg_dynamic-x86_64.dll, copied it into the same directory, problem solved.

8. Alternatively, could update the environment variable PATH to point to the directory with the missing .dll.

Please feel free to add your own case studies here! I've made it a community wiki answer.