Cannot import tkinter after installing Python 3 with pyenv

Question

I got problems with importing tkinter after installing Python version 3.4.2 with pyenv. My system Python is version 2.7.6. I am using Ubuntu 14.04. For the following sample script t.py:

import _tkinter

print ("Hello")

I get:

$ pyenv global system
$ python --version
Python 2.7.6
$ python t.py
Hello
$ pyenv global 3.4.2
$ python --version
Python 3.4.2
$ python t.py
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "t.py", line 3, in <module>
    import _tkinter
ImportError: No module named '_tkinter'
    Traceback (most recent call last):
      File "t.py", line 3, in <module>
        import _tkinter
    ImportError: No module named '_tkinter'

Note that pyenv installed Python version 3.4.2 in ~/.pyenv/versions/3.4.2/.

Answer 1

This problem seems to be solved now using the approach described in this post:

• First uninstall Python 3.4.2 : pyenv uninstall 3.4.2, then
• Run sudo apt-get install tk-dev
• And reinstall Python 3.4.2 : pyenv install 3.4.2