# Unable to launch anaconda navigator **URL:** \ **Category:** Bugs & Issues\ **Created:** [June 6, 2023, 11:52am UTC](https://forum.anaconda.com/t/unable-to-launch-anaconda-navigator/56487 "2023-06-06T11:52:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dhanushkher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/00a5b5/32.png) [@dhanushkher](https://forum.anaconda.com/u/dhanushkher)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2023, 11:52am UTC](https://forum.anaconda.com/t/unable-to-launch-anaconda-navigator/56487/1 "2023-06-06T11:52:19Z")
I have only recently started learning python and it is the same case with using anaconda. I have used it for a while and it has worked fine but from the past two days I have been facing an issue. The navigator does not open. I does not give any error messages either it just does not respond. Then I directly launched anaconda prompt and it gave me this error. ![anaconda prompt issu](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/anaconda/original/2X/4/4f2d5b00e70a16deda6f3f25cda36588232d2b7e.png) Traceback (most recent call last): File “C:\Users\Admin\anaconda3\Scripts\conda-script.py”, line 11, in from conda.cli import main File “C:\Users\Admin\anaconda3\lib\site-packages\conda\cli\__init_\_.py”, line 3, in from .main import main # NOQA File “C:\Users\Admin\anaconda3\lib\site-packages\conda\cli\main.py”, line 34, in from .conda\_argparse import generate\_parser File “C:\Users\Admin\anaconda3\lib\site-packages\conda\cli\conda\_argparse.py”, line 30, in from …base.context import context File “C:\Users\Admin\anaconda3\lib\site-packages\conda\base\context.py”, line 53, in from …common._os.linux import linux\_get\_libc\_version File "C:\Users\Admin\anaconda3\lib\site-packages\conda\common\_os\_init_.py", line 10, in from .windows import get\_free\_space\_on\_windows as get\_free\_space File “C:\Users\Admin\anaconda3\lib\site-packages\conda\common\_os\windows.py”, line 12, in from ctypes import (POINTER, Structure, WinError, byref, c\_ulong, c\_char\_p, c\_int, c\_ulonglong, File “C:\Users\Admin\anaconda3\lib\ctypes\__init_\_.py”, line 8, in from \_ctypes import Union, Structure, Array ImportError: DLL load failed while importing \_ctypes: The specified module could not be found. **(NOTE: I tried to reinstall it but it still did not work)** (excuse me if my post is a bit unprofessional as it is my first post) ---
**Author:** ![Carlos\_Valin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f5a800/32.png) [@Carlos\_Valin](https://forum.anaconda.com/u/Carlos_Valin)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2023, 12:47pm UTC](https://forum.anaconda.com/t/unable-to-launch-anaconda-navigator/56487/2 "2023-06-06T12:47:46Z")
Thanks for reaching out, It seems that something went bad in the installation process, let’s try a reinstallation but with a full cleaning process this time: ## [Full Uninstall](https://docs.anaconda.com/free/anaconda/install/uninstall/#id2) A full uninstall removes all traces of the configuration files and directories from Anaconda and its programs with the anaconda-clean program. 1. In Windows, open Anaconda Prompt. In Mac or Linux, open your terminal application. 2. Install the anaconda-clean package: conda install anaconda-clean 1. Then, run anaconda-clean. Run the command by itself to remove all Anaconda-related files and directories with a confirmation prompt before deleting each one, or use the --yes argument to remove all those files and directories without being asked to confirm each one. # If you want to confirm each file and directory you are deleting anaconda-clean # If you don’t want to be asked about each file and directory anaconda-clean --yes 1. anaconda-clean creates a backup of all files and directories that might be removed in a folder named .anaconda\_backup in your home directory. Also note that anaconda-clean leaves your data files in the AnacondaProjects directory untouched. - After using anaconda-clean, follow the instructions in [Simple remove](https://docs.anaconda.com/free/anaconda/install/uninstall/#simple-remove) to finish uninstalling Anaconda Distribution. 1. Open the file explorer. 2. Delete your environment (anaconda3\envs) and package (anaconda3\pkgs) folders in your user folder. 3. Open Add or remove programs and uninstall your Anaconda installation or your version of Python. After that you can reinstall Anaconda again and the problem should be fixed, let us know if it worked, we are eager to help. ---
**Author:** ![dhanushkher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/00a5b5/32.png) [@dhanushkher](https://forum.anaconda.com/u/dhanushkher)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2023, 1:34pm UTC](https://forum.anaconda.com/t/unable-to-launch-anaconda-navigator/56487/3 "2023-06-06T13:34:04Z")
[quote=“Carlos\_Valin, post:2, topic:56487”] fter using anaconda-clean, follow the instructions in [Simple remove](https://docs.anaconda.com/free/anaconda/install/uninstall/#simple-remove) to finish uninstalling [/quote]) I believe that due to the error mentioned in my post anaconda is unable to activate the base environment hence I am unable to run conda commands and which is also the reason why I am unable to install the anaconda-clean package. What happens when I type the command: _C:\Users\Admin\>conda install anaconda-clean_ _‘conda’ is not recognized as an internal or external command,_ _operable program or batch file._ ![anaconda prompt issue 2](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/anaconda/original/2X/2/25fd602675fa5b02cd36441e456fe5fdf919ad5e.png) (I am on Windows 64bit AMD) ---
**Author:** ![Carlos\_Valin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f5a800/32.png) [@Carlos\_Valin](https://forum.anaconda.com/u/Carlos_Valin)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2023, 1:50pm UTC](https://forum.anaconda.com/t/unable-to-launch-anaconda-navigator/56487/4 "2023-06-06T13:50:40Z")
Hi again, Please skip the _anaconda-clean_ step in the instructions and proceed with simple remove, remember to delete your anaconda3 folder under your Admin user folder. Tell us if you found errors in the reinstallation process ---
**Author:** ![dhanushkher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/00a5b5/32.png) [@dhanushkher](https://forum.anaconda.com/u/dhanushkher)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2023, 2:09pm UTC](https://forum.anaconda.com/t/unable-to-launch-anaconda-navigator/56487/5 "2023-06-06T14:09:32Z")
Hi, I uninstalled the anaconda files and re installed anaconda but it did not resolve the issue. I am still encountering the same error. ![anaconda prompt issu](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/anaconda/original/2X/4/4f2d5b00e70a16deda6f3f25cda36588232d2b7e.png) ---
**Author:** ![yacal47775](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/0075a9/32.png) [@yacal47775](https://forum.anaconda.com/u/yacal47775)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2023, 9:13pm UTC](https://forum.anaconda.com/t/unable-to-launch-anaconda-navigator/56487/6 "2023-06-19T21:13:41Z")
This response is completely useless and does not even pay attention to what the user asked. Anaconda is not working for several of us even after a clean install and just running an update of all packages. What the fuck is going on ---
**Author:** ![Carlos\_Valin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f5a800/32.png) [@Carlos\_Valin](https://forum.anaconda.com/u/Carlos_Valin)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2023, 9:41am UTC](https://forum.anaconda.com/t/unable-to-launch-anaconda-navigator/56487/7 "2023-06-20T09:41:34Z")
1. In the file directory /Library/bin you wiIl find a file diff.dll.conda-trash. 2. Copy this file and renamed it with diff.dll. 3. After that do `conda update --all` If you do the same with ffi.dll file you will arrive at the same result. ---
**Author:** ![dhanushkher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/00a5b5/32.png) [@dhanushkher](https://forum.anaconda.com/u/dhanushkher)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2023, 10:26am UTC](https://forum.anaconda.com/t/unable-to-launch-anaconda-navigator/56487/8 "2023-06-25T10:26:12Z")
Nothing was working so as a last resort I had to format my computer. Now my **problem is solved**. ---
**Author:** ![tintin5008](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c2df01/32.png) [@tintin5008](https://forum.anaconda.com/u/tintin5008)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2024, 4:18pm UTC](https://forum.anaconda.com/t/unable-to-launch-anaconda-navigator/56487/9 "2024-05-29T16:18:05Z")
![Screenshot 2024-05-30 001646](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/anaconda/original/2X/e/e65dc2441b4dad24c341f012abfe29ad1d3526d3.png) may I ask, why I encounter this problem. I have tried many ways including reinstall, but it does not work, pls help me… ---
**Author:** ![Manuel1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2df01/32.png) [@Manuel1](https://forum.anaconda.com/u/Manuel1)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 5:43pm UTC](https://forum.anaconda.com/t/unable-to-launch-anaconda-navigator/56487/10 "2024-11-22T17:43:06Z")
This is what happened to me and my solution: After opening Spyder, I got a message recommending that I update it. Since I have it under Anaconda, the message recommended me to use the prompt with the following command: conda update anaconda conda install spyder=6.0.1 It took a while and after the installation, I restarted my PC. Spyder launched updated but the Anaconda navigator couldn’t launch. The installation created a new folder (Anaconda (Anaconda3)) with just Spyder inside. The solutions in this thread seem extremely involved to me. Then I decided to update the whole Conda with: conda update --all and after: conda activate Those actions created an Anaconda navigator inside my new folder. After opening and logging in, I was taken to the old navigator version with the old Spyder version. I end up updating Spyder again but now inside the Anaconda navigator using the drop-down menu at the top-right and choosing the latest version. Now both Anaconda navigators work. I guess the message should advise on how to deal with the Conda installation first and then the Spyder one. Hope this help