# ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'setuptools'

- **ID:** `python/setuptools-package-not-found`
- **Domain:** python
- **Category:** module_error
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 80%

## Root Cause

setuptools is not installed in the current Python environment.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| 3.8 | active | — | — |
| 3.9 | active | — | — |
| 3.10 | active | — | — |
| 3.11 | active | — | — |
| 3.12 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Install setuptools using pip for the current Python** (95% success)
   ```
   python -m pip install setuptools
   ```
2. **Ensure the virtual environment is activated** (90% success)
   ```
   source venv/bin/activate && pip install setuptools
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Installing setuptools with conda in a pip-only environment** — Conda and pip environments are separate; conda install may not affect pip's Python. (70% fail)
- **Using python -m pip install setuptools but without activating the correct venv** — If the wrong Python is used, setuptools may install elsewhere. (80% fail)