python2.7: matplotlib in jupyter notebook can't use qt

Question

I've installed python2.7 and installed matplotlib using pip. When I execute:

% matplotlib qt

It get the error:

No module named pyqt4, pyqt5...

So I installed pyqt4 using .whl file, and the error becomes:

No module named pyqt5

I've searched that pyqt5 can be easy installed using pip3 install pyqt5, but not for pip.

Also I remembered that I have solved this problem by downgrading jupyter before but I can't remember it exactly.

I have searched the web for a while but can't find a solution, how can I get rid of this error in a most simple way?

@TarunLalwani Windows, no virtualenv. Actually, this problem happens both in windows and mac, and mac is fixed and it is OK now. I also have fixed windows before, but I can't remember the method. — an offer can't refuse
– an offer can't refuse, Commented Oct 28, 2017 at 13:43
Why not install pyside instead? I just did pip install pyside and it works for me after that — Tarun Lalwani
– Tarun Lalwani, Commented Oct 28, 2017 at 14:38
@TarunLalwani not working for me. still No module named pyqt5 — an offer can't refuse
– an offer can't refuse, Commented Oct 29, 2017 at 2:29
Then there are other things you can try. Set a environment variable in windows MPLBACKEND with value as Qt4Agg. See this for more available backend matplotlib.org/tutorials/introductory/…. Also you can try %matplotlib qt4 instead of %matplotlib qt — Tarun Lalwani
– Tarun Lalwani, Commented Oct 29, 2017 at 6:45

Tarun Lalwani · Accepted Answer · 2017-10-29 11:37:50Z

1

+50

There are different ways to specify the backend for matplotlib

Using Environment Variable

Set a environment variable in windows MPLBACKEND with value as Qt4Agg.

See this for more available backend

Also you can try %matplotlib qt4 instead of %matplotlib qt

answered Oct 29, 2017 at 11:37

Tarun Lalwani

147k11 gold badges217 silver badges278 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.