ImportError: cannot import name 'MyClass' from 'mymodule'

Python found the module but can’t find the specific name you’re trying to import.

Fix 1: Check for typos

# ❌ Wrong name
from flask import Flaskk

# ✅ Correct name
from flask import Flask

Check the module’s docs or source for the exact export name.

Fix 2: Circular imports

The most common cause. Two files import each other:

# a.py
from b import helper  # b.py hasn't finished loading yet!

# b.py
from a import something  # a.py hasn't finished loading yet!

Fixes:

• Move the import inside the function that uses it
• Restructure to break the cycle
• Move shared code to a third file

# ✅ Import inside function
def my_function():
    from b import helper  # Only imported when called
    return helper()

Fix 3: Wrong package version

# The function might not exist in your installed version
pip show flask  # Check version
pip install --upgrade flask

Fix 4: Name doesn’t exist in that module

# ❌ json doesn't have 'parse'
from json import parse

# ✅ It's called 'loads'
from json import loads

Check what’s available: import mymodule; print(dir(mymodule))

See also: Python ModuleNotFoundError fix | Python cheat sheet