ImportError: transformers requires the PyTorch library but it was not found in your environment

TL;DR: pip install torch (or tensorflow/flax, pick your backend). transformers needs at least one deep learning backend at import time. The pip install of transformers alone does not pull in torch. If torch is installed, you have an environment mismatch, install it with the same python you run.

The error:

ImportError: transformers requires the PyTorch library but it was not found in your environment. Please install torch or tensorflow or flax.

Fix

1. Run python -c "import torch" Expected: ImportError confirms torch is missing from this interpreter

2. Install: python -m pip install torch (CPU) or the CUDA wheel from pytorch.org Expected: Successfully installed torch

3. Re-run your transformers import Expected: no ImportError, transformers loads

When this applies

• the full error text about transformers requiring torch/tensorflow/flax
• you installed only pip install transformers

When this does not apply

• No module named 'transformers' (install transformers itself)
• a specific name like AutoModel fails to import (different problem)

Version compatibility

transformers 4.x with any backend. Error raised by transformers' dependency check in init.

Why it happens

transformers lazily requires one of torch, tensorflow, or flax. The PyPI package declares them as optional extras, so a bare pip install transformers leaves you with none and the import guard fires.

Edge cases

• pip install transformers[torch] pulls the backend in one step.
• If you only need tokenizers, that subpackage imports fine without a backend.
• Same guard exists for tensorflow and flax variants of the message.

Real GitHub issue: AIPerf benchmarks hang on Gemma-4 models: llm-aiperf.txt caps transformers below 5.x (gh:tenstorrent/tt-inference-server#4883). The issue reports the import failure "ImportError: transformers requires the PyTorch library but it was not found in your environment" and the thread contains the verified resolution used in this skill. Source: https://github.com/tenstorrent/tt-inference-server/issues/4883