Fix “ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'machine'” in Thonny

What you see

Python 3.10.11 (bundled)
>>> %Run blink.py
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "C:\Users\Asha\Documents\blink.py", line 1, in <module>
    from machine import Pin
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'machine'

Python 3.10.11 (bundled)
>>> %Run blink.py
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "C:\Users\Asha\Documents\blink.py", line 1, in <module>
    from machine import Pin
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'machine'

Quick fix — try in order

1. 1

   Switch Thonny to the board

   Click the interpreter name in the bottom-right corner of Thonny and choose MicroPython (Raspberry Pi Pico) or MicroPython (ESP32). The Shell should then show a MicroPython v1.x banner.

   Tried it
2. 2

   Or set it in Run → Configure interpreter

   Pick the MicroPython variant and the board’s COM port (or “Try to detect port automatically”).

   Tried it
3. 3

   Do not pip install machine

   The machine package on PyPI is unrelated. Installing it gives new, stranger errors. machine only exists inside MicroPython firmware.

   Tried it
4. 4

   VS Code / PyCharm users

   Pressing the normal Run button uses the PC’s Python. Run the file on the board with mpremote run blink.py instead.

   Tried it

Why it happens

Board-specific notes