How to Install OpenCV on a Raspberry Pi

[@ovidiumoise]

Flowless on Raspberry Pi 4 model B 4GB with Bookworm 64b. I tried about four different video tutorials but this is by far the best. Thank you, Sam!

[@nathalylozano8270]

After 3 days of trying to install opencv, reseating my raspberry multiple times, and following every single tutorial, your videos are the only ones that work for me. Thank you so muchhhh!

[@SamWestbyTech]

Happy to hear it! Let me know if there are other things you need help with

[@davidbagiag9807]

@@SamWestbyTech hello can u help me? i cant run the j4 command

[@SamWestbyTech]

@@davidbagiag9807 I don't do a j4 command in this tutorial. I'm guessing you're following another tutorial? I heard that others with a Pi 3 got stuck at that command, and when they ran "pip install opencv-python" it worked

[@prestonmcomber9895]

This is the best opencv installation video I have found to date! I have returned to it many times for my senior design project. Thanks for being clear and concise!

[@richards7502]

Thanks for the tutorial. I've been banging my head against a wall for the past few days. Working now

[@kpyeo6604]

I have a raspberry pi 3 Model B V1.2. Installed bullseye 64bit OS. Then followed the instructions exactly in this video. The only extra thing I did was to increase the swap size to 1024 before running "pip install opencv-contrib-python". The installation only took less than 15 mins. It didn't take 2hr or more as mentioned in the video. Not sure if I didn't anything wrong. But the installation seems successful.

[@muskantasildar1103]

64 bit os?? rasbian

[@joeldizon2065]

Best tutorial ever for OpenCV installation on Raspberry Pi! *****

[@GiantSquidGamer]

incredible, i am sending this message on a raspberry pi. this is the best tutorial on youtube to get open cv.

[@JM-bd4mg]

Short and simple tutorial and it works for me. Highly recommended, very useful video!!!!!! Love from Malaysia

[@pademo57]

Like Preston said this was the best installation video. Thanks so much. Yes! Please keep these videos coming!

[@junetechon]

i spent an entire day staring at command prompt trying to get this working tysm

[@thomasrimer1611]

For anyone running into issues in 2024, these instructions do NOT work for Raspberry Pi's 32 bit operating systems. To get OpenCV installed, simply reflash a 64 bit operating system (you can use the desktop or no desktop environment, it does not matter) on to the MicroSD card using Raspberry Pi's imager tool. Then follow the instructions in the video and you should be set! Hope this helps

[@davidsalagean5557]

Shame that i didn't see your comment before ive waited 2h to see the error

[@katsika84a]

I was trying to instyall it on ym 32 bit os and iw as geting all different type of errors regarding open ssl and cmake. I tried updating to latest versions etc but none of the things i tried helped. I am glad i saw your comment, thanks a million

[@thomasrimer1611]

@ yeah I wasted so many hours on it, glad I could help others avoid the same lol

[@okineedadonutnow7181]

I've been struggling to get open cv installed for a while, and this worked ! thank you so so much.

[@rekhachaudhary777]

Bro thank youuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is my first time using raspberry and i am just 12 years old so this was a first timer for me. You helped me a lot as i have been stuck on this part for past 2 days.

[@kanishkalanka2360]

I m really appreciate your video because it is really helpful to install open cv in raspberry pi 3 old module. Thank for been clear precenting every thing.

[@lml3708]

Great and the best tutorial, after watching a lot of others tutorials i was tired. It really works without problems

[@ungetoastetetoastbrote6956]

If you are stuck on "building wheel". Try to use the 64-bit OS instead of the 32-bit Version (the recommended one) I tried to get it working for around one week before i tried this. After i changed the OS Version to 64-bit it worked on the first try.

[@justinek6974]

Are you same problem for "building wheel (PEP517) " infinity loading.... i installed 32bits same too

[@ungetoastetetoastbrote6956]

@@justinek6974 The 64 bit Version fixed it for me

[@wejdan9824]

how much time did it last when you used the 64-bit OS ? also I have another question if you may know , I tried to use the 64-bit and I want to capture an image using command ( raspistill -o image.jpg ) but it is not working it says raspistill is un known or something ... if you know what other command or a solution, that would be great!

[@ungetoastetetoastbrote6956]

@@wejdan9824 it did not took long, I don't know the exact time but it was less than 10 minutes. I don't know the solution for the other question. I'm in no way an expert on raspberry pi and I only used opencv to control the camera. Sorry

[@machirofunz]

you save my life again and so many time

[@interestingengineering291]

very straight forward and simple. please do a video on how to use it

[@EdVanLiew-m6q]

Hi Sam, Great video, very easy to follow and the installation was “successful” at the conclusion of the second hour. Upon ‘import cv2’, however, I’m getting a message saying the package requires ‘numpy’ and goes on to say it could be a set up issue. I tried to install ‘numpy’ per the error message and I get the message “numpy requirements already satisfied”. What am I doing wrong? Thanks, Ed

[@yautomationjean]

hi, Do you solve it ?

[@khushinikhare_]

same here

[@yautomationjean]

@@khushinikhare_i solved, you should install a before version of Raspberry Pi OS on your Rpi

[@TedKliszczewicz]

same with me today

[@minshenlin127]

For those who get stuck on building wheels, the best way to solve it is to REINSTALL the Raspbian OS and follow what Sam did. It got stuck because you have an older version of Raspbian OS that has python3.7 as the default python3 version, which cannot build OpenCV and its dependencies. I tried to simply install python 3.9, but after building OpenCV, some weird errors related to 'glibc' popped up, which is hard to find available solutions online. So, I think reinstalling OS is the easiest way.

[@ohdangarang]

what version of os did you use? is it bullseyes or buster?

[@ohdangarang]

additionally, which version of python are you using? is it 3.9 or something else?

[@hvzvrds7565]

i have python 3.9.2 and it still gets stuck

[@oooopppp2]

Great video! Thank you very much for the sharing. Good work and useful!

[@nicknottage4939]

So glad I came across this tutorial. Super clear and straightforward. Thanks

[@user-bj4lp3fr1o]

This is the best I have seen.

[@pplg-yt]

This is what I consider the PERFECT tutorial. Thank you a ton. Subscribed!

[@peacemaker3676]

Thanks, it did not take 2 hours though - it took like a minute, is this a symptom of something bad? If not, thanks so much, you saved so much of my time that I was wasting on other tutorials for like hours

[@Kirch21_]

Thank you very much for this and for explaining each command!

[@manuelcarriedo4404]

thank you very much for sharing this tutorial. very simple and clear explained. I am at the last part installing the openCV while I a m writing this comments, even if the installing process still continues I can see there are some errors popping up here and there. Since I am not the expert on this field, not sure if I should worry or not. I would like to ask you if this instructions apply either for Raspian 32 OS and Raspian 64 OS?

[@GroockG]

Great video thanks, on python 3.7.3 I had to run: pip3 install --upgrade virtualenv for some reason before I could start a virtual environment

[@kommentfreak4869]

big thx :)

[@riccamanlangit2895]

Very helpful. Thank you very much.

[@jamesleitch9813]

Hi Sam, I love your video. Unfortunately I've run into an issue though. I followed these instructions last night and it worked a treat installing onto a Pi 4B with 32-bit Raspbian+Desktop edition (Bullseye). However, this morning I attempted to install on 64-bit Raspbian (Bullseye) and I'm encountering an error saying 'Unable to locate package libjasper-dev' when trying to install the system packages at 3:22 in your video. Any idea what may be the cause? Everything up to this point is identical to your video?? Thoughts?

[@sk61003]

Same 😢 what was the solution?

[@loudymusu4516]

screen in the top left, look at where it says program and click on where it says “aggressive te” and change it to “analog app 1 te”

[@nitinmanoharmishra49]

4:00 what command do you use in the prompt if you use USB cam ?

[@meander5310]

Hi Sam, which operating system should be installed on the raspberry pi? With Desktop or without? Thank you for Video

[@narsipurnagabhushana3179]

Truely a straightforward, concise and clear video on cv2. It works. Thank you! It would be nice if you could follow this up with CV camera python application that really works. This might help us in better understanding of things that plague us like the assertion error -255 associated with imread().

[@SamWestbyTech]

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll look into it

[@saraharbi8807]

Thank you, your channel is very helpful

[@jean-pierrewolf6464]

Hello, that's a great tutorial. Is it mandatory to use a virtual environment ?

[@mahmutsare1817]

Thank you very much. This video is so useful to setup.

[@SFJavCPE]

I've run the pip install opencv-contrib-python and after 2 hours or so, the line at the end of the ... in building wheel for opencv-contrib-python (pep 517) stopped turning

[@drdtec]

Nice tutorial! Thanks.

[@justal787]

for the last step, do you need to do pip3 install or is pip just fine?

[@RizaldiAmrihJ.W.]

So, after I follow your video tutorial, can I do coding in thony?

[@ronifarhi8705]

Thanks for short and simple tutorial. it was not work for me on 32bit OS (install 3 hours and then got stuck). install very quick on 64bit OS (20sec for last step of pip opencv...) thanks !!!!

[@jane4039]

Thank u so much great tutorial 👍🏻

[@libiabenacirromeroescobedo5953]

Muchas gracias tu video me ayudo muchisimo! no me cargó en la raspberry pi 3b+ talvez debo de aumentar el GPU pero si funcionó en la raspberry pi 4. Muy bien explicado y nuevamente muchas gracias!

[@SamWestbyTech]

I'm sorry it didn't work on the 3b+ but I'm happy it worked on your 4! I'll try to find a 3b+ to do some testing

[@carlosdavila2552]

I get a lot of "Package is not available, but is referred to by another package." or unavailable package errors when trying to install the long list

[@MohamedSalah-lv5tx]

Thanks a lot But why it's work in terminal and not work in other python IDE as thonny ?

[@Sternhammer89]

HI at 2.47, after changing to the project directory, in the video you enter "virtualenv env", however in the description you have written "python3 -m pip install virtualenv" followed by python3 -m virtualenv env. Which is correct, the video or the description.

[@SamWestbyTech]

Both should get you the same result. I would use the commands in the description because it tells your Pi exactly which python version to use

[@vikramadithyaanand759]

Thank you so much Sam, you rock.

[@sucharithaanumula1849]

Thankyou so much it works perfectly

[@eddieshu2763]

Thank you, this helped me a lot

[@shubhammakwana3736]

can you make a video to install spyder in Raspberry pi . I have got so many error regarding console , PyQt etc.

[@user-qt9sv4fb6v]

Can you do a video about the tutorial for usage of OpenCV. Thank you, new subscriber here.

[@SamWestbyTech]

Sure thing I’ll add it to the list

[@broke5637]

Very good tutorial

[@retroreeper410]

love you man

[@realhelmi]

That's a very good tutorial. I enjoyed your good audio and video quality which doesn't always happen on these kind of tutorials. I'd appreicate an OpenCV tutorial with the same style. Good work!

[@SamWestbyTech]

Thank you for the kind words! I am working on an OpenCV tutorial, right now.

[@realhelmi]

@@SamWestbyTech cool, looking forward to it.

[@WaiTheng]

What does the "Unable to locate package pthon3-virtualenv" mean? What should I do if I meet this error?

[@ronaksinghgulati]

Hie Sam i have seen your 3 videos 1st one was Tensorflow then Python downgrade and then Open Cv now the problem i am facing is i want tensorflow and Open CV to be on the same Python Version where as you have installed on 2 different version. I tried Installing Tensorflow on Python 3.9.2 it gave me error but Open Cv got installed so I tried to install Tensorflow on python version 3.7.12 Tensorflow was Sucessfully installed there but then Open CV gave me a error and i really need your help

[@nathalylozano8270]

I have the same the mistake!! if you find a solution, lmk please

[@SamWestbyTech]

I’ll look into making a combine tf+opencv tutorial

[@ronaksinghgulati]

@@SamWestbyTech requesting you to do it quickly and I am in a urgent need of help other wise i would fail my sem

[@nathalylozano8270]

@@SamWestbyTech Thanks! That would be amazing 👀😩

[@SamWestbyTech]

Here’s a tutorial where I install both into the same environment: How to Install TensorFlow 2 and OpenCV on a Raspberry Pi kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJbOk597oJuIhsU

[@danielharrich3072]

Hello, I had a problem with 2 packages: while executing the commands, I ot the messages: "unable to locate package libjasper-dev" and "unable to lacate libpng-dev". I have just cancelled them from the commands, do I have to expect problems without them?

[@prajjwalgarag8815]

Its stuck on building wheel forever

[@דניאלרפאל]

Hi, I installed opencv according to your guide. I don't understand how I can use this and integrate it into the script.

[@pranavasthanaDelhi]

Thanks a lot Sam!

[@lugemwajohnkenedy1617]

It is amazing stuff on your channel Please also make a video about cross-complying Qt framework on raspberry pi

[@muggullasairam8442]

When tried to run pip install opencv-contrib-python it is getting killed....

[@jasonvazquezdelgado4050]

Hi! I am trying to install TensorFlow and OpenCV on the same environment. I followed your videos but for some reason I can not install python 3.7.12 in the environment that I installed opencv. It says it’s already installed, but even after running pyenv global / local, the env python version never changes. Is there an specific order I should follow? Thank you very much. Looking forward to your response since your videos are the only ones that work for me lol :)

[@SamWestbyTech]

Thanks for pointing this out. I overlooked that in my pyenv tutorial. I’ll post steps after the weekend when I’m back to my Pi to test. It’s possible and you’ll use a package called pyenv-virtualenv

[@SamWestbyTech]

Okay, you'll have to create a new environment and reinstall Tensorflow and OpenCV. After you switch python versions (probably with the command pyenv global 3.7.12) do the following: python -m pip install virtualenv python -m virtualenv env source env/bin/activate This will be your virtual environment for both installations. You then can install tensorflow and opencv.

[@jasonvazquezdelgado4050]

@@SamWestbyTech I’ll try it right away and let you know 😀 Thank you for your quick response! Really hope it works hahaha

[@nathalylozano8270]

@@SamWestbyTech I tried this, but I got an error installing opencv that says "An error ocurred while building with cmake". I am trying to install opencv and tensorflow with 3.7.12 python version. What can I do?

[@gauravnemade9722]

@@nathalylozano8270 try sudo pip3 install opencv-python Im also trying to do the same tensorflow and open cv on python 3.7 but when i run python script with sudo it import cv2 and when i run only python3 the error occurred no module found cv 2 when i use sudo python 3 i cannot import tensorflow but without sudo i can import it i don't know why its happning i can import both at a time ... If anyone having solution please let me know 😅

[@bigcatdairy]

do you have another tutorial on how to access raspberry pi with PC? I was stucked at the very begining lol

[@SamWestbyTech]

I'll add that to the list! In the meantime, you can find what you're looking for by searching "how to access raspberry remotely with SSH"

[@tusharnage1455]

Thank so much sir 💖😊 we love u ❤️😘

[@khanhtrinhmai2618]

Thanks for your video. I have a question. I have both python 2 and python 3. If I use python 3 do I need to change the command " pip install opencv-contrib-python"? Change to " pip3 install opencv-contrib-python3" ? Thanks

[@SamWestbyTech]

Yup I'm pretty sure you do. You want to use the pip associated with python3

[@dansandu7750]

Is opencv working only in this folder (project) and only with env activated? how do I make it work overall?

[@marianoq.daga-angjr5874]

Please check the install target is valid and see CMake's output for more information. [end of output] note: This error originates from a subprocess, and is likely not a problem with pip. ERROR: Failed building wheel for opencv-contrib-python Failed to build opencv-contrib-python ERROR: Could not build wheels for opencv-contrib-python, which is required to install pyproject.toml-based projects

[@monerbenor6624]

thank you for the video, i have an issue, when i reach "pip install opencv-contrib-python" it takes long time, and at a certain point the slash "/" stops moving, can you assist please And if I redo the procedures from where should I start Thanks

[@SamWestbyTech]

What Pi are you using and what OS do you have?

[@monerbenor6624]

@@SamWestbyTech thank you for replaying, i have already installed the normal opencv following your guidance. And it’s successfully installed. The video was really useful as well as the other videos on you channel. Please if you have an IG acc drop it here so I can get more knowledge from you if you have material there

[@kristianmicko6375]

Excuse me, almost all tutorials use "libjasper-dev" library, but if I install with "sudo apt-get install libjasper-dev", the output is "not package found". Can You make video how to fix it? Can You describe which version of Raspbian was used in this video?

[@jimmyjujames]

I followed your procedure and can now import cv2 from command line, but Thonny reports ModuleNotFoundError: No Module named 'cv2'. This is my third week learning Python. Hope it's something simple like an environment variable, but where?

[@ramannagpal5533]

I followed this tutorial. But i am getting below error when i am running the program INFO: Created TensorFlow Lite XNNPACK delegate for CPU. qt.qpa.xcb: could not connect to display qt.qpa.plugin: Could not load the Qt platform plugin "xcb" in "/usr/local/lib/python3.9/dist-packages/cv2/qt/plugins" even though it was found. This application failed to start because no Qt platform plugin could be initialized. Reinstalling the application may fix this problem. Available platform plugins are: xcb. any help?

[@hubertzajac8771]

Hi i did everything according to the video and cv2 was downloaded. But when I restart my Rasberry pi and try to import cv2, I get the error: "No module named" cv2 "". What should I do or what am I doing wrong?

[@SamWestbyTech]

Double check you reactivated your virtual environment In your project directory run the command: source env/bin/activate

[@hubertzajac8771]

@@SamWestbyTech Thank you for your help, it's already working.

[@MrBlitzcrank]

I want to code in C++. Does it work with this installation?

[@arielcusdionela7736]

How can i install lib-jasper it said that "unable to locate"

[@sleepypork3927]

Thank you bhaiiii❤

[@michaelradil15]

Hi Sam, Thank you so much for your tutorial. It came very close to working for me, but after two try's it still hung up right near the end. I followed the link to your source for the system packages and I tried using their method number 2. I was able to get all the way to 100%. If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have gotten as far as I have. The problem now is when I follow their last step to test everything and try to import cv2, I end up with an error "No module named 'cv2'. " Do you have any idea of what has gone wrong here? Your help is truly appreciated Thank you, Michael

[@michaelradil15]

I feel like a noob. Oh, I am one. I was in such a hurry I didn't realize that it was actually installed properly and I was supposed to enter the info in the final steps. Thank you again for such a great tutorial.

[@vesph7067]

just received a raspberry pi 5 and apparently it installed open cv in 16 seconds, yet everything seems to be smooth sailing is something terribly wrong or rightfully right

[@noellejohnson3657]

Ii followed all you step but still get error . I have raspberry 3 b python 3.9 2😢

[@MohamedMostafa-tn3qo]

when i write the command of pi camera it give me this message HESE PACKAGES DO NOT MATCH THE HASHES FROM THE REQUIREMENTS FILE. If you have updated the package versions, please update the hashes any help ???

[@anthonypeters1797]

the test works for me but when I try it in Thonny it says that the module is not found

[@dcvs123]

Hi Sam, I am getting a "failed building wheel for opencv-contrib-python" error in "pip install opencv-contrib-python". can you help me, please?

[@manjiripatil2421]

hello I have raspberrypi 3 and it is significantly taking longer than 2 hrs and I can't see any improvements after building wheel for opencv. what should I do?

[@SamWestbyTech]

Hi I don’t build with a wheel file in this tutorial. I use pip directly, but I heard some whl builds could take 24 hours. I’ve found installation with my method takes much less time. Should be under 2 hours.

[@prateeksharma6584]

Hi Exactly how long it took you to install opencv , its has been 3 hrs stuck on building wheel for opencv for my pi

[@achyuthakomarlu4539]

Can this be done on a zero w

[@kagansenkeser4357]

this video is very nice thank you

[@shailigupta4086]

Hello, do we need to wipe out the SD card before installing, because i am currently on a project where open cv is a part of it.

[@SamWestbyTech]

I include commands to remove any existing installations of OpenCV, so you don't need to wipe the SD card

[@shailigupta4086]

@@SamWestbyTech Thank you for responding.

[@Ascii_616]

hey: why do I have this error { ValueError: Buffer dtype mismatch, expected 'const ITYPE_t' but got 'long long' }

[@manuelcarriedo4404]

one additional question. I did install but I did not create the virtual environment and I just proceed to download openCV in the home directory created by default when you get up and running the Raspberry Pi. Would be this the reason why I am getting some errors while installing openCV ?

[@willianalejandroaristizaba896]

Hi, I have the same question

[@izurzuhri]

i use debian bullseye lite on my rp3 and it's difficult to open cam window on my pc, does anyone can fix this? i've tried qt, xorg, xcb and nothing happen

[@vanni44]

Worked for me on rpi 3b+, after changing swap memory to 1024.

[@MohamedSalah-lv5tx]

How to change it?

[@Nematics_Lab]

Great video! I installed open cv in virtual evn, it was success but when I do python inside virtual env and import cv2 it says "No module named CV2", can you help me with that? I double check by running install command of open cv it say Requirement already satisfied

[@Nematics_Lab]

Update: I deactivated the virtual env & then went into python interpreter and tired it worked any idea why it is not working in virtual env?

[@Nematics_Lab]

update 2: adding sudo to command worked im an idiot since i added sudo while installing open cv in env, anyways thanks!

[@eslamhamdy3928]

downloading opencv litreally took 1min not 2hours, does that makes any problem?

[@prateeksharma6584]

Hello sir, I am trying to install open cv on my raspberry pi 3 , but it has been 3 hrs since it stuck on "building wheel for opencv-contrib-python pep 517", what should i do, should i wait little longer, or close everything and restart whole process again, and also if i install simple main module only opencv-python, will it be enough for lane detection and object detection???

[@SamWestbyTech]

With a Raspberry Pi 3 running 32 bit OS, this could take up to 24 hours to install. Yes, the simple module will be enough for lane detection and object detection

[@sherbetblueleg]

I don't even have a file system. am i doing something wrong???? I'm on a time limit to do this so please respond quickly.

[@chrisislas5250]

Hola Sam, a mi me sale un error al momento de poner "virtualenv env", cual seria el motivo?

[@Ashtar94]

I have both python 2 and python 3, but the default (when I type "python") is python 2. To install, should I use "pip" or "pip3"? Thanks.

[@SamWestbyTech]

Please use python 3. I recommend you type pip3 and python3 instead of pip and python because you have both versions

[@muggullasairam8442]

I got an error Failed building wheel is there any effect to installation of opencv?

[@harichandana8275]

have u resolved the issue?

[@pablomagallan5525]

Thanks!

[@ahmetenesoran5119]

Thanks bro