TL;DL
To fix the “zipimport.zipimporterror: can’t decompress data; zlib not available” error on Linux, try these 6 quick fixes:
- Check Python Packages: Verify Python is installed by running python3 –version or install it with sudo apt install build-essential.
- Repair the Python Package: Fix a damaged Python package using sudo apt install python3-pip and then reboot the system.
- Verify the Zlib Library: Check for Zlib with dpkg -s zlib1g-dev and install it if missing using sudo apt-get install zlib1g-dev.
- Install the Zlib Library: Update and install the Zlib library with sudo apt update && sudo apt install zlib1g-dev, then restart your system.
- Configure Zlib Dependencies: Install missing OpenSSL dependencies with sudo apt install libssl-dev and test Python file compression.
- Update the Zlib Library: Ensure you have the latest Zlib version by running sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade, then restart your system.
To find out more about the “zipimport.zipimporterror: can’t decompress data; zlib not available” error and how to fix it, read the article below now.
Dealing with the Zipimport.ZipImportError can be a real headache, especially when you’re in the middle of an important project. This error typically means Python can’t find or use the Zlib library to handle compressed files. But don’t worry—I have straightforward solutions for you.
In this post, I’ll guide you through fixing this error by checking your Python installation, installing the Zlib library, and configuring your environment correctly. Plus, I’ll share tips on keeping your system updated and using virtual environments. By the end, you’ll have everything you need to keep your Python projects running smoothly.
What is Zipimport.ZipImportError?
Zipimport.ZipImportError happens when Python tries to load a module from a ZIP file but fails because it can’t decompress the data. This error usually points to a missing or inaccessible Zlib library, which Python needs to handle compressed files.
Common Scenarios Where This Error Occurs
- Missing Zlib Library: If Zlib isn’t installed or isn’t accessible, Python can’t decompress files in ZIP format.
- Incomplete Python Installation: Sometimes, Python installs without all its necessary components, including Zlib.
- Environment Issues: Problems with your system’s configuration, such as incorrect paths or missing environment variables, can lead to this error.
Importance of the Zlib Library in Python
Zlib is crucial for Python because it allows the language to read and write compressed files. Many Python modules and packages come in compressed ZIP formats to save space and speed up downloads. Without Zlib, Python can’t handle these compressed files, leading to errors like Zipimport.ZipImportError.
How to Fix zipimport.zipimporterror Issue
To fix the Zipimport.ZipImportError issue, check if Python is installed with python3 --version
and install it if needed using sudo apt install build-essential
. Repair any damaged Python packages with sudo apt install python3-pip
. Verify and install the Zlib library using dpkg -s zlib1g-dev
and sudo apt-get install zlib1g-dev
.
Configure dependencies by installing OpenSSL with sudo apt install libssl-dev
. Finally, update the Zlib library with sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade
and restart your system.
Here’s the step-by-step guide for each method to resolve this error on your Linux system:
1. Check Python Packages
The first thing you should do is check whether Python is installed on your system or not. To do so, here are steps to follow:
- Run the following command in the Terminal window to get the current version of Python:
$ python3 --version
- Once the command is executed, you’ll see the Python version installed on your system.

- However, if Python is not installed on your Linux machine, run the following command to install it.
$ sudo apt install build-essential
2. Repaire the Python Package
The damaged Python package can also cause the “zipimport.zipimporterror: can’t decompress data; zlib not available” error. To repair it, follow the steps below:
- Launch the Terminal and enter the following command:
sudo apt install python3-pip
- Wait for the repair to complete.

- Restart your system using the sudo reboot command.

3. Verify the zlib Library
To check whether the zlib library is installed on your Linux system or not, follow these steps to verify:
- Head to the Terminal window and run the following command:
dpkg -s zlib1g-dev
- If the zlib library is installed, you will see the version number and other details.

- However, if you see an error message as the result of this command, this means that you need to install the zlib library package. To do so, run the following command.
sudo apt-get install zlib1g-dev
- Once it completes the installation process, try checking the zlib library again on your system with the following command. If it’s installed successfully, you’ll see the details of the dpkg zlib library.
dpkg -s zlib1g-dev
4. Install the zlib Library
To install the zlib library and update associated packages on your Linux system, especially if the library is absent or certain packages are outdated, follow these steps:
- Launch the Terminal on your Linux system, and enter the following command:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install zlib1g-dev
- Wait for the update and installation process to complete.

- Restart your system and see if the error is resolved.

5. Configure zlib Dependencies
Sometimes, the missing OpenSSL lib can also cause the zipimport.zipimporterror: can’t decompress data; zlib not available error. To resolve this issue, you need to:
- In the Terminal app, execute the following command:
sudo apt install libssl-dev
- Once it completes the installation, check any file compression or decompression with Python to see if the error is fixed.

6. Update the zlib Library
An incompatible version of the zlib library installed on your system can also cause the zipimport.zipimporterror: can’t decompress data; zlib not available error. To update the zlib library, here’s what you need to do:
- In the Terminal app, run the following command:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade
- Wait for the update to complete. Type y if the Terminal prompt asks.

- Restart your system and see if the problem is fixed.

4 Quick Tips for Preventing the zipimport.zipimporterror Error
The “zipimport.zipimporterror: can’t decompress data; zlib not available” error can cause significant inconvenience, preventing you from running your Python scripts or using certain features. To prevent this error from occurring, follow the tips outlined below:
- 🔄 Keep Your System and Python Packages Up-to-Date: Regularly update your operating system by running the appropriate package manager command (e.g.,
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade
for Debian-based systems) to ensure you have the latest security patches and bug fixes. Additionally, usepip
orconda
to update your Python packages by runningpip install --upgrade package_name
. - 🔍 Regularly Check the Configuration of Your System and Python Packages: Use commands like
ls
,pwd
, andcat
to inspect directories, file paths, and file contents. Verify your system’s and Python packages’ configurations to ensure they are properly set up. This can help identify and resolve any misconfigurations or installation issues. - 🌐 Use a Virtual Environment for Python Development: Create a virtual environment using the
python3 -m venv env_name
command. Activate the virtual environment withsource env_name/bin/activate
and deactivate it withdeactivate
. This isolates your Python projects and packages, preventing conflicts and allowing for clean installations and dependency management. - 💾 Back-Up Your Python Projects Regularly: Regularly back up your Python projects to avoid data or code loss. Use the
cp -r project_dir backup_dir
command to create a copy of your project directory. This ensures that you have a duplicate of your project in a separate location, safeguarding against unexpected errors or issues.
Key Takeaways
In this article, I showed you how to fix the Zipimport.ZipImportError by checking your Python installation, installing the Zlib library, and setting up dependencies. I also shared tips to avoid this error, like keeping your system updated, using virtual environments, and regularly checking configurations.
If you found this guide helpful, you might also enjoy:
- Learning how to install Python3 on Ubuntu, which will help you set up Python correctly from the start.
- Checking the version of a Python package in Linux to ensure you’re using the correct package versions.
- Exploring how to check for None values in Python, helping you avoid common issues that can cause errors.
- Understanding how to fix the “ValueError: could not convert string to float” error, which will save you time troubleshooting data conversion issues.