ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'encodings'

[IAmOrion]

Just (re)installed this onto my Windows machine. Latest v2.6.3.

No matter what board I choose, I always get the following Python error

Fatal Python error: initfsencoding: unable to load the file system codec
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'encodings'

Current thread 0x000030b4 (most recent call first):
exit status -1073740791
Error compiling for board Generic RP2040.

Edit: Downgrading to 2.6.1 'fixes it' and works

[revell1]

@IAmOrion, As you saw, I had the same issue.

My workaround is to:

1: UNINSTALL my current version of the library.
2: Exit the IDE.
3: Wait a minute or more, otherwise there appears to be some timing delay. Then open IDE.
4: Install the latest version of the library.
5: Exit the IDE.
6: Wait a minute or so again. Open IDE and build project.

This process has worked for me every time. Just updating a library used to work, but since about 2.6.1 this strange issue has appeared. I do not think I have updated the IDE version, so unclear why the issue has started.

[IAmOrion]

@revell1 Yes I saw your post about it, for me, on Windows 11 22H2, that didn't work. But as i say, using 2.6.1 works for me, and I don't think the changes affect my current projects so no big deal atm

[fletchjp]

I am getting a similar error on a new computer with Windows 11 after moving my work from another computer. Again, version 2.6.1 works for me on Windows 11.
Thanks
John

[maxgerhardt]

What version of the Arduino IDE is in use here?

When you manually download and unpack https://github.com/earlephilhower/pico-quick-toolchain/releases/download/1.0.1-base/python3-3.7.2.post1-embed-win32v2a.zip, and start the python interpreter therein (python3.exe) and do import encodings, does it show the issue?

[fletchjp]

I am using Arduino IDE 1.8.19 and I install the software through the boards manager process. I am currently using Arduino-Pico 2.6.1 without any problems.

[IAmOrion]

@maxgerhardt I too am using 1.8.19, I will check your linked download this week. As above though, 2.6.1 works perfectly

[maxgerhardt]

I can't reproduce this in a Windows 11 VM directly from Microsoft.

>ver
Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.22000.1219]

and latest Arduino-Pico 2.6.3 installed via the board manager in Arduino IDE 1.8.19, downloaded in the .zip archive version, can compile sketches no problems.

• Do you have installed Python previously?
• Do you have python related environment variables, like PYTHON or PYTHONHOME set?
• Are you using the Arduino IDE as the .zip version or .exe or as a Windows App version?
• What language is the OS installed in?

[earlephilhower]

Thanks @maxgerhardt for the assist! I am also unable to reproduce on a Win10 physical system, nor on a temp VM I threw together.

@IAmOrion and @fletchjp if you could enable logging via File->Prefs->Show Verbose Output->Compile and rebuild with a failure and cut-n-paste the text output in the log window. It looks like, for some reason, the IDE is not using the installed Python and somehow falls into using a system copy which is not the right 3.x version that is shipped w/the core. This log would at least print out exactly what command line was being run when the failure happens. If it's not the right Python being called, that would show. Or, if there were missing params (we use "isolated" mode which should NEVER use anything but the distributed PyLibs) it would show it.

[maxgerhardt]

I'm wondering if I have to go through a special sequence. The Windows 11 VM was fully windows-updated, but it was still downloaded some time ago and probably not what's not on https://developer.microsoft.com/de-de/windows/downloads/virtual-machines/ now. And I directly installed core 2.6.3, not 2.6.1 -> update to 2.6.3. I did however restart the Arduino IDE and compiled multiple times to make sure it would go through after program restarts.

Curious what other's install procedure was so I can reproduce that more exactly.

[IAmOrion]

@earlephilhower I shall enable the logging tomorrow and report back.

@maxgerhardt I had 2.6.1 installed (I do also have Python installed but thus far has never clashed or been an issue). I installed 1.8.19 via the exe/msi installer direct from Arduino.cc. I installed < 2.6.1 via the board manager. At some point I updated to 2.6.1 and all was well. I missed 2.6.2 purely because I didn't update the board when prompted. I then started a new RP2040 project, and the board update was at 2.6.3, so I updated via board manager. Kept getting the error mentioned, so I reverted back to 2.6.1 (again, skipping 2.6.2, purely because I knew 2.6.1 worked perfectly and I needed to compile and test stuff).

I have been using 2.6.1 since perfectly fine. As mentioned I will enable logging and update to get more details on the error

[maxgerhardt]

I do also have Python installed but thus far has never clashed or been an issue

Is that the Windows Store version of Python or from https://www.python.org/downloads/windows/? Which version exactly?

[fletchjp]

Earle, I have just seen this message, I have just shut down the computer where I have the problem and I won't be able to get to this for a bit - I am a Warley MRC member and involved with the Model Railway Show this weekend.

[fletchjp]

Earle

I have come to the conclusion that the problem is not in either version 2.6.1. or 2.6.3. The problem is in the update process.

I have experienced the problem upgrading from 2.6.1 to 2.6.3 and downgrading back to 2.6.1. The error message about encodings was the same with both operations, In each case the solution was to delete arduino-pico and do a reinstall of the required version. I can then successfully compile.

I hope this helps.

John

[fletchjp]

Here is some more information about the upgrade problem in a file

I don’t know what this means. The boards are not installed.

John
Arduin-pico-upgrade-messages.docx

[earlephilhower]

@fletchjp , looks like the Arduino IDE has a problem installing the core on your system for some reason and that might be enough to cause your failure (i.e. the Python extraction fails, causing the Python3.exe file to fail on startup with missing libraries).

Under Windows I've seen things like this with certain AntiVirus SW/anti-malware blockers where the scanner blocks creation of certain (legal, safe) filetypes because of the way it's running. But in any case, it seems there's nothing wrong with the archive or the core here but with either the Windows IDE or unpacker which we don't have control over. :(

I would suggest you try the "uninstall, reinstall later version" option that was mentioned as working above.