Issue with the interpreter in Visual Studio Code

Question

Issue with the interpreter in Visual Studio Code

Qin Eguía Fernández 0

I have to have Visual Studio downloaded on my Microsoft Surface Pro, 11th Edition; and what I've done so far is:

First download Python from the web, I've gotten the version 3.14(64-bit), I've opened it and have tested if it works, it does.

Then I've downloaded Visual Studio Code and the thing is that in the tutorial video I'm seeing it says that you have to determine an interpreter and even after downloading the extension of Python in VS I still can't see the interpreter the tutorial says it appears when you have both Python and its extension downloaded.

I don't understand what is not working and it's driving me crazy.

I apologize if the tone is a bit aggressive as I've been trying to find my mistake and haven't been able to for the past two hours.

2 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Omkara Varshitha Kunapalli (INFOSYS LIMITED) 1,350 Microsoft External Staff

Hello hope your doing well thanks for reaching out !

Step 1: Confirm Python is Installed Correctly

Open Command Prompt (press Windows + R, type cmd, then press Enter).
Type: python --version and press Enter.
- If it shows something like Python 3.11.4 (or your installed version), you're good!
  - If not, Python might not be added to your system PATH. Reinstall Python and check the box that says "Add Python to PATH" during installation.
```
  Step 2: Open VS Code
```
  1. Launch Visual Studio Code.
1. If prompted to install the Python extension, click Install. If not prompted:
  - Click on the Extensions icon (left sidebar or press Ctrl+Shift+X).
    - Search for "Python" by Microsoft and click Install.
```
       Step 3: Open or Create a Python File
```
    1. Open a folder or create a new one for your project.
    2. Inside that folder, create a new file and name it something like test.py.
```
     Step 4: Select the Python Interpreter
```
    3. Press Ctrl+Shift+P to open the Command Palette.
    4. Type: Python: Select Interpreter and click it.
  1. You should now see a list of available Python versions.
```
- Look for the one that says something like Python 3.14 (64-bit) and select it.

   - If you don’t see it, click "Enter interpreter path" and then "Find..." to browse to where Python is installed (usually something like C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python314\python.exe) 

   - Step 5: Test It Out

   1. In your test.py file, type: print("Hello, Python!") Right-click anywhere in the file and choose "Run Python File in Terminal".
```

You should see the output in the terminal below.

Qin Eguía Fernández 0 Reputation points

2025-10-24T06:37:18.96+00:00

Hey! Thank you so so much for your help.

The thing is that I've done everything down to the step five and what happens is that I do not see the output in the terminal below.

As you've said since I didn't see the list of available pythons (and I redownloaded it with PATH and even gave it admin priority), and I got the version (Python 3.14.0).

Then I tried the interpreter path (because it didn't appear the option as I opened the interpreter) and when I opened the terminal and ran the code (print("Hello World")) the output didn't appear anywhere.

I've looked at the interpreter and it actually says that it takes the path I've told it to python? I don't understand why it doesn't work anymore.

And I looked at the page for the python extension and it says that I should be able to select my interpreter on the bottom of the page which I'm not, and hadn't been able since I downloaded VS code.
Omkara Varshitha Kunapalli (INFOSYS LIMITED) 1,350 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-10-24T07:12:02.6866667+00:00
Hello please follow these steps

Step 1: Confirm Python Is Installed and Added to PATH

Open Command Prompt.

Type: python --version → You should see Python 3.14.0.

Type: where python → You should see the full path to Python (e.g., C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python314\python.exe)

Step 2: Check Python Extension in VS Code

Open VS Code.

Go to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X) → Search for Python by Microsoft → Make sure it’s installed.

Step 3: Create a Python File

Open a folder in VS Code.

Create a file named hello.py.

Add this code:
print("Hello World") Step 4: Select the Python Interpreter

Press Ctrl+Shift+P → Type: Python: Select Interpreter.

If you don’t see any options, click "Enter interpreter path" → then "Find...".

Browse to your Python location (e.g., C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python314\python.exe) and select it.

Step 5: Run the Python File

Right-click inside the hello.py file → Click "Run Python File in Terminal".

If nothing shows up:

Go to View → Terminal to make sure it’s open.

Check if the terminal is using PowerShell or Command Prompt — both should work.

Step 6: Check for Errors

If the terminal is blank or shows errors:

Try running the file manually: In the terminal, type python hello.py and press Enter.

If this works, the issue may be with the VS Code Python extension — try reinstalling it.
Qin Eguía Fernández 0 Reputation points

2025-10-24T07:24:55.1266667+00:00

Hi,

Python exists and is where you say it is.

I have installed the python extension and the whole pack(python, pylance, environment and debugger) is up to date.

I added the code, and entered the interpreter path.

I click run python file in terminal, nothing shows up. I go to view terminal, its using powershell.

I run the code again it does nothing and I tried python hello.py and it also doesnt work, it just lets me put another line.
Omkara Varshitha Kunapalli (INFOSYS LIMITED) 1,350 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-10-24T07:28:23.8366667+00:00

Hello please follow these steps
thanks for confirming everything. Since the terminal just moves to a new line after running python hello.py, it likely means Python is running in interactive mode.

Let’s try this:

In the terminal, type: exit() and press Enter — this will close the Python prompt.

Then type: python hello.py again and press Enter — this should run your file and show the output.
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Qin Eguía Fernández 0 Reputation points

2025-10-24T07:34:38.6333333+00:00
Hello, it doesnt let me, the error it raises is the following:

On line: 1 Character: 6

exit()

~

An expression was expected after '('.

CategoryInfo : ParserError: (:) [], ParentContainsErrorRecordException

FullyQualifiedErrorId : ExpectedExpression

(translated from spanish)
Omkara Varshitha Kunapalli (INFOSYS LIMITED) 1,350 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-10-24T07:43:21.9+00:00
Hi
Then Reset VS Code Python Setup

Open VS Code.

Go to Extensions → Uninstall the Python extension.

Reinstall the Python extension by Microsoft.

Open your .py file again.

Press Ctrl+Shift+P → Select "Python: Select Interpreter" → Choose the correct version.

Try running the file again.
Qin Eguía Fernández 0 Reputation points

2025-10-24T07:57:35.07+00:00

It still doesnt work.

It does the same of not showing anything and if I try to output with the python hello.py it jumps to the next line.
Omkara Varshitha Kunapalli (INFOSYS LIMITED) 1,350 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-10-24T08:01:35.1233333+00:00

hello dear Qin
thanks for trying all the steps. Since python hello.py just jumps to the next line with no output, let’s check two things:
1 Make sure the file has the correct code Open hello.py and confirm it contains exactly: print("Hello World")
2. Try running with py instead of python In the terminal, type: py hello.py and press Enter
Qin Eguía Fernández 0 Reputation points

2025-10-24T08:03:09.21+00:00

It is the correct code

print("Hello World")

and it doesnt work either
Omkara Varshitha Kunapalli (INFOSYS LIMITED) 1,350 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-10-24T08:08:13.6966667+00:00
Thanks for confirming. Since the code is correct and still not showing output, let’s try this:

Open Command Prompt (not PowerShell).

Navigate to the folder where your hello.py file is saved using: cd path\to\your\folder 3. Then run: python hello.py If this works in Command Prompt but not in VS Code, the issue is with the VS Code terminal setup.
Qin Eguía Fernández 0 Reputation points

2025-10-24T08:12:05.6666667+00:00

So I can't open it.

Question, where should the file be? Can the folder be in the desktop or should it be somewhere else?
Omkara Varshitha Kunapalli (INFOSYS LIMITED) 1,350 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-10-24T08:15:12+00:00
Yes, the folder can be anywhere — including your Desktop. Just make sure you open that folder in VS Code.

For example:

Save your hello.py file inside a folder on your Desktop.

In VS Code, go to File → Open Folder and select that folder.

Then open hello.py and try running it again.
Qin Eguía Fernández 0 Reputation points

2025-10-24T08:17:56.8133333+00:00

It doesnt work either.

But the thing is that when I try to open the file "hello.py" from Command Prompt like a window appears but then immediately disappears, I am not able to open the file.
Omkara Varshitha Kunapalli (INFOSYS LIMITED) 1,350 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-10-24T08:23:33.7466667+00:00
thanks for explaining. If a window opens and closes immediately, it means you're double-clicking the .py file — this runs it and closes the window too fast to see anything.

Instead, try this:

Don’t double-click the file.

Open Command Prompt.

Type this to go to the folder where your file is saved:

cd Desktop\YourFolderName Then run:

python hello.py
Qin Eguía Fernández 0 Reputation points

2025-10-24T08:29:01.79+00:00

I dont double click. In fact I did right click and clicked the option open with python and it just opened and closed the window super fast.

When I try to do that it says that the system can't find the specified route.
Omkara Varshitha Kunapalli (INFOSYS LIMITED) 1,350 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-10-24T08:33:05.49+00:00

The issue is that right-clicking and choosing “Open with Python” runs the file in a new window that closes immediately — that’s normal behavior and not the right way to run Python scripts when you want to see the output. Instead, open Command Prompt, then use the cd command to go to the folder where your .py file is saved (for example: cd Desktop\MyPythonFiles), and then run python hello.py. If it says “system can’t find the specified route,” double-check that the folder path is correct and matches exactly — folder names are case-sensitive and must exist.
Qin Eguía Fernández 0 Reputation points

2025-10-24T08:38:56.9+00:00

So I did it and when I run python hello.py it just jumps to the next line
Omkara Varshitha Kunapalli (INFOSYS LIMITED) 1,350 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-10-24T08:46:40.16+00:00
Thanks for trying that. If python hello.py just jumps to the next line with no output, let’s double-check two things:

Make sure the file is saved correctly Open hello.py in VS Code and confirm it contains only print("Hello World") Then click File → Save to be sure it’s saved. Run it again from Command Prompt In Command Prompt, go to the folder where hello.py is saved and run: python hello.py If it still doesn’t show anything, try this test directly in Command Prompt: python -c "print('Test Output')" Let me know if you see “Test Output” — this will help us confirm if Python is working properly.
Qin Eguía Fernández 0 Reputation points

2025-10-24T08:49:23.4533333+00:00

It outputs hello world! But in VS it still doesnt work.
Omkara Varshitha Kunapalli (INFOSYS LIMITED) 1,350 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-10-24T09:16:57.3533333+00:00
Python works in Command Prompt Since it still doesn’t work in VS Code, the issue is likely with how VS Code is set up.

Let’s try this final fix:

Open VS Code.

Go to File → Open Folder and select the folder where hello.py is saved.

Open hello.py and make sure it has:

print("Hello World") Press Ctrl+Shift+P → Type and select "Python: Select Interpreter" → Choose the correct Python version.

Then press Ctrl+Shift+P again → Type and select "Run Python File in Terminal".

If the terminal still doesn’t show output, try this instead:

Open the terminal in VS Code.

Type: python hello.py and press Enter.
Qin Eguía Fernández 0 Reputation points

2025-10-24T09:21:12.8866667+00:00

So it doesnt work when you choose run python file in terminal, but it does work if you open the terminal and type "python hello.py" it does print the message
Omkara Varshitha Kunapalli (INFOSYS LIMITED) 1,350 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-10-24T09:23:06.88+00:00
Since the output works when you run python hello.py manually, it means Python is set up correctly. The issue is likely with how VS Code is handling the "Run Python File in Terminal" command.

Let’s fix that:

In VS Code, go to Settings (click the gear icon in the bottom left).

Search for: Code Runner: Run In Terminal

Make sure this option is checked.

Then try running the file again using "Run Python File in Terminal".

If it still doesn’t work, you can continue running your code manually in the terminal — that’s perfectly fine and works the same way. Let me know if you'd like help resetting VS Code settings
Qin Eguía Fernández 0 Reputation points

2025-10-24T13:48:36.3633333+00:00

How is it called like the specific function that I have to check there are like thousands of options, could you specify?

Answer 2

No worries — we’ve all been there! 😊 It sounds like your setup is almost correct, you just need to help Visual Studio Code (VS Code) find your Python installation.

Here’s what you can try step by step:

Make sure Python is added to PATH When you installed Python, there’s a checkbox that says “Add Python to PATH.”

If you didn’t check it, VS Code won’t detect Python automatically.

  To fix it:
  
        Uninstall Python, then reinstall it, and make sure that box is checked.
        
              Or, manually add Python to your PATH environment variable.
              
              1. **Check if Python works in VS Code’s terminal** Open a new terminal in VS Code (`Ctrl + ~`) and type:
              
              ```python
              python --version
              ```
              
              or
              
              ```python
              py --version
              ```
              
                 1. If that shows your Python version (like 3.14.0), then VS Code can see it.
                 
                    1. **Select the Python interpreter manually**
                    
                          - Press `Ctrl + Shift + P` to open the **Command Palette**.
                          
                                - Type: **Python: Select Interpreter**
                                
                                      - You should now see one or more Python versions listed.
                                      
                                            - Pick the one that matches your installation (e.g., “Python 3.14 (64-bit)”).
                                            
                                               1. **If no interpreters show up** Try restarting VS Code after selecting the Python extension. Sometimes it needs a restart to refresh the environment.
                                               
                                                  1. **Verify by running a test file** Create a simple `test.py` file:
                                                  
                                                  ```python
                                                  print("Hello, Python!")
                                                  ```
                                                  
                                                  1. Then run it using the play (▶️) button in the top-right corner.
                                                  
                                                  If you’ve followed all these steps and it *still* doesn’t detect your Python, the issue might be that Python was installed for a different user or from the Microsoft Store. In that case, reinstalling it from [python.org/downloads](https://www.python.org/downloads/) usually fixes everything.

Qin Eguía Fernández 0 Reputation points

2025-10-24T18:49:50.86+00:00

Hello!

I specifically downloaded Python adding it to PATH.

VS returns the version I currently have of python which is 3.14.0

I cannot see the python versions listed and when i manually select the interpreters it doesnt work.

How can I restart VS code? When I close and open it it just opens as I left it.

And I've done everything and still it doesnt work and the thing is that I've deleted and downloaded python already so many times from my computer, and I've downloaded like, different versions of python too.

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Issue with the interpreter in Visual Studio Code

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