How to Uninstall SciPy in Python

SciPy is a popular Python library for scientific computing. Sometimes, you may need to uninstall it. This guide will show you how.

Why Uninstall SciPy?

You might need to uninstall SciPy to free up space, fix conflicts, or install a different version. Whatever the reason, the process is simple.

Before uninstalling, check if SciPy is installed. Open your terminal or command prompt and run:

 
pip show scipy

If SciPy is installed, you'll see details like version and location. If not, you'll get a "not found" message.

Uninstalling SciPy Using pip

The easiest way to uninstall SciPy is using pip, Python's package manager. Run this command:

pip uninstall scipy

You'll see a confirmation prompt. Type y and press Enter to proceed. The package will be removed.

Uninstalling SciPy in a Virtual Environment

If you're using a virtual environment, activate it first. Then run the uninstall command. Learn more in our guide on uninstalling Virtualenv.

Force Uninstall SciPy

If the normal uninstall fails, use the --force flag. This removes the package even if dependencies are affected.

pip uninstall scipy --force

Be careful with this. It might break other packages that depend on SciPy.

Verify SciPy Is Uninstalled

After uninstalling, verify it's gone. Run:

 
import scipy

If you get an ImportError, SciPy is successfully uninstalled. If not, try the process again.

Common Issues and Solutions

Sometimes, uninstalling SciPy can cause problems. Here are some fixes:

Permission errors: Use sudo on Linux/Mac or run as admin on Windows.

Multiple Python versions: Ensure you're using the correct pip for your Python version.

For more help with Python libraries, see our guide on uninstalling Python libraries.

Conclusion

Uninstalling SciPy is straightforward with pip. Remember to check if it's gone after removal. If you face issues, try the force method or check permissions.

Need to uninstall other packages? Check our guides on uninstalling NumPy or removing Pandas.