Error: invalid command ‘bdist_wheel’ in Python [Solved]

The “Error: invalid command ‘bdist_wheel'” in Python typically occurs when attempting to build a Python package using the ‘bdist_wheel’ command, which is part of the setuptools package. This error often indicates that the ‘wheel’ package, responsible for creating wheel distributions, is either not installed or not properly configured.

To resolve this issue, ensure that you have the ‘wheel’ package installed by runningIf the problem persists, make sure your setuptools and pip are up to date. After these steps, retry the command that triggered the error. This should resolve the ‘invalid command ‘bdist_wheel” error, allowing you to successfully build your Python package.

Remember to activate your virtual environment if you are working within one to ensure that the correct dependencies are being used.

sudo apt-get install python python-dev --force-yes --assume-yes --fix-broken
curl --silent --show-error --retry 5 https://bootstrap.pypa.io/get-pip.py | sudo python2.7
sudo -H pip install setuptools wheel virtualenv --upgrade

Error: invalid command ‘bdist_wheel’ in Python

The “Error: invalid command ‘bdist_wheel'” in Python typically occurs when the ‘wheel’ package is not installed or there’s an issue with your Python environment. Here’s a step-by-step guide to resolve this issue:

Install or Upgrade ‘wheel’:
Ensure that the ‘wheel’ package is installed and up to date. Run the following command in your terminal or command prompt:

pip install --upgrade wheel

Update setuptools and pip:
Make sure your ‘setuptools’ and ‘pip’ packages are up to date:

pip install --upgrade setuptools pip

Check Python Version:
Ensure that you are using a compatible Python version. The ‘bdist_wheel’ command is supported in Python 2.7 and 3.4 or later. It’s recommended to use Python 3 if possible.

Virtual Environment:
If you’re working within a virtual environment, activate it before running the commands to ensure that you’re installing packages into the correct environment.

Check Environment Variables:
Verify that your PATH environment variable includes the correct path to your Python executable.

After following these steps, try running the command again. This should resolve the “invalid command ‘bdist_wheel'” error, and you should be able to build your Python package successfully.

Install the wheel package

Execute any of the subsequent commands to install the ‘wheel’ package.

pip install wheel
pip install wheel
pip3 install wheel

# 👇️ if you don't have pip in PATH
python -m pip install wheel
python3 -m pip install wheel

# 👇️ on Windows
py -m pip install wheel

Upgrading your version of pip

# 👇️ if you have pip already installed
pip install --upgrade pip

# 👇️ if your pip is aliased as pip3 (Python 3)
pip3 install --upgrade pip

# 👇️ if you don't have pip in your PATH environment variable
python -m pip install --upgrade pip

# 👇️ if you don't have pip in your PATH environment variable
python3 -m pip install --upgrade pip

# 👇️ if you have easy_install
easy_install --upgrade pip

# 👇️ if you get a permissions error
sudo easy_install --upgrade pip

# 👇️ if you get a permissions error when upgrading pip
pip install --upgrade pip --user

# 👇️ upgrade pip scoped to the current user (if you get permissions error)
python -m pip install --user --upgrade pip
python3 -m pip install --user --upgrade pip

# 👇️ Installing directly from get-pip.py (MacOS and Linux)
curl https://bootstrap.pypa.io/get-pip.py | python

# 👇️ if you get permissions issues
curl https://bootstrap.pypa.io/get-pip.py | sudo python

# 👇️ alternative for Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt-get update && apt-get upgrade python-pip

# 👇️ alternative for Red Hat / CentOS / Fedora
sudo yum install epel-release
sudo yum install python-pip
sudo yum update python-pip

Python setup.py bdist_wheel did not run successfully

If you encounter the error “Python setup.py bdist_wheel did not run successfully,” it indicates an issue with building the wheel distribution for a Python package. Here are some steps to troubleshoot and resolve the problem:

Check Dependencies:
Ensure that all required dependencies for your Python package are installed. Use the following command to install the necessary dependencies:

pip install -r requirements.txt

Update setuptools and wheel:
Make sure that your ‘setuptools’ and ‘wheel’ packages are up to date. Run the following command:

pip install --upgrade setuptools wheel

Verify Python Version:
Confirm that you are using a compatible Python version. The ‘bdist_wheel’ command is supported in Python 2.7 and 3.4 or later.

Check for Errors in setup.py:
Examine your setup.py file for any syntax errors or issues. Correct any mistakes that might be present.

Clean Build:
Remove any existing build artifacts and try building again. Run the following commands:

python setup.py clean
python setup.py bdist_wheel

Check System Environment:
Verify that your system environment variables, especially the PATH variable, are correctly configured to point to the Python executable and necessary build tools.

Read Error Messages:
Examine the error messages provided when the build fails. They often contain specific information about what went wrong and can guide you in fixing the issue.

Use a Virtual Environment:
If you’re not already using a virtual environment, consider creating one to isolate your project dependencies. Activate the virtual environment before running the build command.

After performing these steps, attempt to run python setup.py bdist_wheel again. If the issue persists, review the error messages for more details and address any specific problems mentioned.

FAQs

Conclusion

Encountering the “invalid command ‘bdist_wheel'” error in Python typically stems from issues related to the ‘wheel’ package or the overall configuration of your development environment. By following a series of steps, including installing/updating dependencies, verifying Python versions, and checking for environment variables, you can effectively troubleshoot and resolve this error.

Utilizing a virtual environment is recommended to isolate project dependencies and prevent conflicts. Carefully interpreting error messages during the build process and reviewing project-specific documentation can also provide valuable insights. Following these steps and FAQs should enable you to overcome the “invalid command ‘bdist_wheel'” error, facilitating the successful building and distribution of Python packages.