pip build ai_generated true

error: subprocess-exited-with-error: pip subprocess to build wheel failed

ID: pip/subprocess-error-build-wheel

Also available as: JSON · Markdown
87%Fix Rate
89%Confidence
50Evidence
2023-01-01First Seen

Version Compatibility

VersionStatusIntroducedDeprecatedNotes
23 active — — —

Root Cause

pip failed to build a wheel for a package with C/C++ extensions — missing compiler or header files.

generic

Workarounds

  1. 90% success Install system build dependencies: sudo apt install python3-dev build-essential libffi-dev 
    Most C extensions need gcc and Python headers
  2. 88% success Check if a pre-built wheel exists: pip install <package> --only-binary :all: 
    Avoids compilation entirely by using pre-built wheels

    Sources: https://pip.pypa.io/en/stable/cli/pip_install/#cmdoption-only-binary

Dead Ends

Common approaches that don't work:

  1. Using --no-binary :all: to force source builds 80% fail

    Actually makes the problem worse by requiring compilation for all packages

  2. Installing an older version of the package 55% fail

    Older versions may have the same build requirements

Error Chain

Frequently confused with: