Python executable in PyCharm virtual environment becomes unusable once in a while

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Danny
Created

I asked this on Stack Overflow a while ago but didn't get any solutions.

Every once in a while, the Python executable in the PyCharm virtual environment will stop working all of a sudden. Trying to run any Python script results in the following error:

Unable to create process using 'C:\Users\Danny\PycharmProjects\<project path>\.venv\Scripts\python.exe C:\Users\Danny\PycharmProjects\<project path>\<script>.py': The system cannot find the path specified.

This affects all my PyCharm projects, and it seems to happen every few months. I have to delete the .venv folder, re-add a Python interpreter, and then re-install all the dependencies.

Anyone have an idea what causes this, and how I can prevent this from happening again? Is there a setting I should change, or is this due to a bug in PyCharm?

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Ervis Velika
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Hi Danny

 

If this happens again would you please take a few steps to help us understand more about the issue ? 

  1. Check from a terminal if the file is there and executable:
    1. From PyCharm terminal or external run C:\Users\Danny\PycharmProjects\<project path>\.venv\Scripts\python.exe --version

If the file is not there or the output is not as expected I would first check if you are having some Antivirus issue in your system.

If so I would advise to exclude (depending on your Antivirus in use) the path where the venv resides.

If the python file is missing or corrupted we need to find out what external factors are causing this.

If the file is there and executable would you please let me know some more info:

  • Which Pycharm version are you using ? 
  • Is it possible to upload the IDE Logs in our JB online drive and provide me the upload ID ? (this is only accessible by Jetbrains team)
    • The logs can be provided from Help -> Collect Logs and diagnostics data
  • Which Python version are you using and how did you install it in your system?

 

Kind regards,

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Danny
Created

Running the executable in the .venv folder results in a similar error.

I'm currently using PyCharm 2025.2.4, but this issue has happened with previous versions.

I'll try to collect the logs if the issue occurs again.

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