gdal ImportError in python on Windows

Question

Trying to import gdal for Python 2.7.3 on Windows XP:

>>> import gdal
Traceback (most recent call last):
 File "<stdin>", line 1, in <module>
 File "C:\Python27\lib\site-packages\gdal.py", line 2, in <module>
 from osgeo.gdal import deprecation_warn
 File "C:\Python27\lib\site-packages\osgeo\__init__.py", line 21, in <mo
 _gdal = swig_import_helper()
 File "C:\Python27\lib\site-packages\osgeo\__init__.py", line 17, in swit_helper
 _mod = imp.load_module('_gdal', fp, pathname, description)
ImportError: DLL load failed: The specified procedure could not be found.

Following suggestions from Installing GDAL with Python on windows? and elsewhere, here's what I've done so far:

• removed all versions of python and started with a clean install of 2.7.3
• installed gdal with the OSGeo4W installer
• installed the native Win gdal binaries from http://www.lfd.uci.edu/~gohlke/pythonlibs/
• added C:\OSGeo4W\bin; first in my Path variable
• tried from osgeo import gdal
• launched python from within the OSGeo4W Shell
• run the procedure outlined in http://cartometric.com/blog/2011/10/17/install-gdal-on-windows/

The result is the same. Any other ideas about how to troubleshoot this?

• Nathan W: Did you install Python using OSGeo4W?
• user10353: gdal19.dll is not in your path. Edit the environment variable and try again. Also, you should use the import: from osgeo import gdal.
• meetar: @NathanW I had not - I installed 2.7.2 and tried again - no change.
• meetar: @kyle gdal19.dll is in C:\OSGeo4W\bin which is in my path, and the result is the same when I try from osgeo.
• user10353: Are you sure the versions match up for your python bindings and your osgeo install? I don't use windows that much. Can you check your gdal version to be sure it's 1.9.2: gdalinfo --version

Answer 1

Condensed procedure outlined in http://cartometric.com/blog/2011/10/17/install-gdal-on-windows/ for Windows 7, 32 Bits, to install GDAL PYTHON:

1) Install Python.

I installed Python 2.7.9 from https://www.python.org/

2) Install the GDAL binaries published by Tamas Szekeres.

First, I launched IDLE (Python GUI) noting the following values: "MSC v.1500" and "on win32":

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In this link: http://www.gisinternals.com/release.php

Click in the magenta link of the below image:

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Click in the magenta links of the below image for download and install gdal-111-1500-core.msi and GDAL-1.11.1.win32-py2.7.msi:

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3) Append your environment Path variable

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After click in Edit and search for Path, add:

;C:\Program Files\GDAL

DON'T FORGET the ; character before C:\Prog... and click OK three times:

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4) Add the GDAL_DATA environment variable (one click in New for each variable: gdal-data and gdalplugins)

DON'T FORGET click OK three times:

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5) Finally, perform a quick test to make sure everything worked.

Launch IDLE (Python GUI) and type from osgeo import gdal [Enter]:

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I didn't get gdal ImportError in python on my Windows 7 system.

Note: import gdal is deprecated.

• Shiuli Pervin: I have tried with all above explained methods but it show error like this: ImportError: DLL load failed: The specified procedure could not be found.
• xunilk: I know that this method works for 7 and 8 Windows systems and python 2.7 with 32 bits. If you have different conditions you should carefully read in each link those that match in your own system.
• Shiuli Pervin: Thanks!I have recently windows 10 and I am screwed up. I installed in my office several computers it worked perfectly but not at home it is not working at all. I am hang up for several hours. Do you have any idea about it?
• pookie: Same boat as you, @ShiuliPervin. It's a joke... so difficult to install this. I have literally spent all day trying to get gdal installed. Ridiculous! Apparently, though, you can do this with scipi hydro.washington.edu/~jhamman/hydro-logic/blog/2013/10/12/… as well as python-netcdf4
• pookie: I meant netcdf4-python: netcdf4-python github.com/Unidata/netcdf4-python

Answer 2

I recommend to place the path to GDAL in the PATH variable BEFORE(!!) the python path. In this way you avoid the fact that python can not find the necessary gdal.dlls

Answer 3

Similarly, I placed

C:\Program Files (x86)\GDAL;

at the very first in the Path of System Variables. Issue solved after 1 day of searching the web. Using Python 2.7.10, 32 bit, Windows 8.

• MoreMeowbell: This solved my problem completely! I had Arc Desktop installed first and then installed gdal without an issue once I did this.
• Güray Hatipoğlu: This was an important step in the solution for me. For the rest, check the RobertH community wiki and my comments below it: gis.stackexchange.com/questions/2276/…

Answer 4

If installing via whl you must install the visual-c redistribute to get gdal to work!

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2977003/the-latest-supported-visual-c-downloads