How to Fix “subprocess-exited-with-error” (Python)

If you’ve tried installing a Python package and suddenly got the error “subprocess-exited-with-error”, you’re not alone.
This guide shows you exactly how to fix it in under a minute.

The Error:

This guide fixes the error “subprocess-exited-with-error” shown underneath:

It usually happens when pip can’t build or install a package correctly — often because of outdated build tools or corrupted cache files.

2 Step Guide – Fixing the Error

Step 1 – Upgrade “wheel”

First, upgrade the build tools used by pip:

pip install --upgrade setuptools wheel

pip install --upgrade setuptools wheel

This ensures pip uses the latest version of the Python packaging tools.

Step 2 – Purge Cache

Next, clear pip’s cache to remove any broken or partial downloads:

pip cache purge

pip cache purge

This forces pip to re-download everything cleanly the next time you install a package.

YouTube Video

Watch my short video guide here:

Error Fixed

That’s it — the error should now be gone, and you can install your Python package without issues.