ImportError: No module named 'telegram' despite installing python-telegram-bot library

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1

I’m having trouble with a Telegram bot setup. I successfully installed the python-telegram-bot package, but when I attempt to import telegram in my Python script, I get an import error.

Here’s what happens when I try to run my bot script:

# chatbot.py
import telegram
from telegram.ext import Updater, MessageHandler, Filters

def reply_message(update, context):
    update.message.reply_text(update.message.text)

def main():
    updater = Updater("YOUR_TOKEN", use_context=True)
    dp = updater.dispatcher
    dp.add_handler(MessageHandler(Filters.text, reply_message))
    updater.start_polling()
    updater.idle()

if __name__ == '__main__':
    main()

The error I get is:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "chatbot.py", line 1, in <module>
import telegram
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'telegram'

I installed it by cloning from the repository:

git clone https://github.com/python-telegram-bot/python-telegram-bot.git

When I test the import in Python interactive mode:

Python 3.5.2 (v3.5.2:4def2a2901a5, Jun 25 2016, 22:01:18) [MSC v.1900 32 bit (Intel)] on win32
>>> import telegram
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'telegram'

What am I missing in the installation process?

2

Cloning the repo just downloads the source code - it doesn’t actually install anything. Python can’t find the package unless it’s properly installed or you’ve set up the path. Use pip instead since it handles dependencies and registers everything with your Python install. If you want to work with the cloned version for development, navigate to that folder and run pip install -e . for editable mode. Also check you’re using the right Python environment - people often have multiple versions installed and pip might be installing to a different one than you’re running.

3

u should pip install it instead of just cloning, that won’t set it up correctly. try pip install python-telegram-bot and see if that works!

4

It seems you’re facing an installation confusion. Cloning the repository merely downloads the source code without properly installing the package. Python needs the package to be installed to recognize it in your scripts. The simplest solution is to use pip install python-telegram-bot, which will manage everything for you. If you prefer the cloned version for development, make sure to run python setup.py install in the cloned directory. Additionally, verify that you’re working in the correct Python environment as having multiple versions can lead to such import errors.