Software⏱️ 4 min read📅 2026-06-15

How to Fix: Unable to install PyTorch - ERROR: Command errored out with exit status 1:

PyTorch installation error on Windows.

Quick Answer: The issue is likely due to a missing dependency or an outdated version of pip. Try reinstalling PyTorch using the official installer from the PyTorch website.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 💡 Why You Are Getting This Error
  2. 🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps
  3. ✨ Wrapping Up

The error 'Command errored out with exit status 1' when trying to install PyTorch using pip on Windows is frustrating for users who need to work with python zincbase. This issue can occur due to various reasons such as corrupted package installation, missing dependencies, or incompatible Python versions.

This guide aims to help you troubleshoot and resolve the issue by providing step-by-step instructions to fix the problem.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The primary reason for this error is that PyTorch requires a specific version of CUDA and cuDNN libraries which are not installed correctly on your system. This can lead to issues with package installation and compatibility problems.
  • Another possible cause is that you have multiple versions of Python installed on your system, and the pip command is trying to install PyTorch for the wrong version.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Installing Required Libraries Manually

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Download the CUDA Toolkit and cuDNN library from the official NVIDIA website. You can find the download links on the [NVIDIA website](https://developer.nvidia.com/cuda-downloads).
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Extract the downloaded zip file to a directory of your choice, for example, C:\Program Files\NVIDIA CUDA Toolkit.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: Add the extracted directory to your system's PATH environment variable. Right-click on 'This PC' or 'Computer', select 'Properties', then click on 'Advanced system settings' and finally click on 'Environment Variables'. Under 'System Variables', scroll down and find the 'Path' variable, then click 'Edit'. Click 'New' and enter the path to the extracted directory.
  4. Step 4: Step 4: Install PyTorch using pip by running the command `pip install torch --extra-index-url https://download.pytorch.org/whl/cu113`. This will ensure that you have the correct version of CUDA and cuDNN libraries installed.

Checking Python Version Compatibility

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Check your current Python version by running `python --version` in your command prompt or terminal. You should see the version number displayed.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: If you have multiple versions of Python installed, make sure that the pip command is trying to install PyTorch for the correct version. You can do this by checking the `--python-tag` option when running the pip command. For example, if you want to install PyTorch for Python 3.6, use the command `pip install torch --extra-index-url https://download.pytorch.org/whl/cp36`.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: If you are using a virtual environment, make sure that it is activated before running the pip command. You can activate a virtual environment by running `activate` (on Windows) or `source activate` (on macOS/Linux).

✨ Wrapping Up

To resolve the 'Command errored out with exit status 1' error when trying to install PyTorch on Windows, follow one of the methods outlined in this guide. If you are still experiencing issues, ensure that your system meets the minimum requirements for PyTorch and try reinstalling the package using pip.

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