FileNotFoundError: Specified path does not exist

The error FileNotFoundError: Specified path does not exist occurs when Python tries to open or access a file that does not exist at the given path. This guide will cover the common causes and solutions to fix this error.

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1. Common Causes and Fixes

Cause 1: Incorrect File Path

Python raises FileNotFoundError if the file path is incorrect, misspelled, or does not exist.

Example:

with open("wrong_path/file.txt", "r") as file:
    data = file.read()

This will fail if wrong_path/file.txt does not exist.

Solution: Check the exact file path and use absolute paths when necessary:

with open(r"C:\Users\Username\Documents\file.txt", "r") as file:
    data = file.read()

or

with open("/home/user/documents/file.txt", "r") as file:
    data = file.read()

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Cause 2: File Has Been Moved or Deleted

If the file was moved or deleted after the program started, the path becomes invalid.

Solution: Check if the file exists before opening it:

import os

file_path = "data.txt"

if os.path.exists(file_path):
    with open(file_path, "r") as file:
        data = file.read()
else:
    print(f"Error: The file '{file_path}' does not exist.")

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Cause 3: Case Sensitivity on Linux/macOS

Linux and macOS are case-sensitive, meaning "File.txt" and "file.txt" are different.

Example:

with open("Data.txt", "r") as file:  # The actual file is "data.txt"
    data = file.read()

Solution: Ensure the correct capitalization of the file name.

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Cause 4: Working Directory Issues

If you’re using a relative path, Python looks for the file in the current working directory, which may not be where the file is located.

Solution 1: Print the working directory to verify:

import os
print("Current Working Directory:", os.getcwd())

Solution 2: Change to the correct directory before running the script:

import os
os.chdir("/path/to/correct/directory")

Solution 3: Use absolute paths instead of relative paths.

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Cause 5: Special Characters in File Name

If the file name contains special characters or spaces, Python may not recognize the path correctly.

Solution: Wrap the file path in quotes or rename the file:

with open("C:\\Users\\Username\\Documents\\my file.txt", "r") as file:
    data = file.read()

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Cause 6: Missing Read/Write Permissions

If Python does not have permission to read or write the file, it may raise FileNotFoundError.

Solution: Run the script with appropriate permissions:

• Windows: Run Python as Administrator.
• Linux/macOS: Use chmod to modify file permissions: bashCopyEditchmod 644 file.txt # Read and write permission for owner, read-only for others

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Cause 7: Typo in File Extension

If the file extension is incorrect, Python will not find the file.

Example:

with open("data.txt", "r") as file:  # The actual file is "data.csv"
    data = file.read()

Solution: Ensure the correct file extension.

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Cause 8: File Is on a Network Drive or External Device

If the file is on a network drive, USB, or external hard drive, Python may fail to access it if the drive is disconnected.

Solution: Check if the drive is connected before running the script.

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2. Summary of Fixes

Issue	Fix
Incorrect file path	Use the correct absolute file path
File moved or deleted	Check if the file exists before opening it
Case sensitivity (Linux/macOS)	Ensure the correct capitalization of the file name
Wrong working directory	Use os.getcwd() to check and os.chdir() to fix
Special characters in file name	Rename the file or wrap the path in quotes
Missing permissions	Run as Administrator or change file permissions
Typo in file extension	Use the correct file extension (.txt, .csv, etc.)
File on network drive or USB	Ensure the drive is connected