# 4.5.6 Python Mode Error

**URL:** <https://discourse.processing.org/t/4-5-6-python-mode-error/49409>\
**Category:** Processing.py\
**Created:** [September 21, 2026, 4:45pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/4-5-6-python-mode-error/49409 "2026-09-21T16:45:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Kiyoshimon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Kiyoshimon](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Kiyoshimon)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 4:45pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/4-5-6-python-mode-error/49409/1 "2026-09-21T16:45:07Z")

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Hi all,

I’ve had issues using Python mode since the most recent update. Version 3 does not link to the server anymore to to fetch Python mode, and Version 4.5.6 yields this error upon swapping to Python Mode for 4 (image attached)

 ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/processingfoundation1/original/3X/2/9/29f06ec6feb38b4ed598f8d1d842e8cc779b85f5.png)

I can use 4.3.4 but that version does not provide error feedback; it just will run a blank canvas without console output if there is any error in the code.

Any help? Thanks in advance.

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**Author:** ![sableraph](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/sableraph/32/251_2.png) [@sableraph](https://discourse.processing.org/u/sableraph)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 5:56pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/4-5-6-python-mode-error/49409/2 "2026-09-21T17:56:22Z")

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Hi @Kiyoshimon,

We recently migrated the Processing web infrastructure to handle increased traffic from bots and scrapers. It looks like this has affected the Contribution Manager in Processing 3.5.4. We’re looking into the issue.

In the meantime, you can download and install Python Mode for Processing 3 directly from:

[https://contribs.processing.org/pythonmode/3/PythonMode.zip](https://contribs.processing.org/pythonmode/3/PythonMode.zip)

You can also find direct download links for other libraries and modes here:

[https://github.com/processing/processing-contributions/blob/main/contributions.yaml](https://github.com/processing/processing-contributions/blob/main/contributions.yaml)

I also made this page as a workaround: [https://sableraf.github.io/processing-contributions-explorer-web/](https://sableraf.github.io/processing-contributions-explorer-web/) It’s not a perfect replacement, but it should at least make it easier to find and download libraries and modes if the contribution manager doesn’t work.

Best,  
Raphaël

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![villares](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/villares/32/3166_2.png) [@villares](https://discourse.processing.org/u/villares)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 7:20pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/4-5-6-python-mode-error/49409/3 "2026-09-21T19:20:11Z")

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> I can use 4.3.4 but that version does not provide error feedback; it just will run a blank canvas without console output if there is any error in the code.

It could be worth confirming to you that Python Mode doesn’t really work on Processing 4.X, and I’d add that as it is an unmaintained project, it probably will never be fixed.

I’ve been using [https://py5coding.org](https://py5coding.org) as replacement for years now, and for teaching I’ve been using a setup with [py5 + Thonny IDE](https://abav.lugaralgum.com/como-instalar-py5/index-EN.html)

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**Author:** ![GoToLoop](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/gotoloop/32/86_2.png) [@GoToLoop](https://discourse.processing.org/u/GoToLoop)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 7:29pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/4-5-6-python-mode-error/49409/4 "2026-09-21T19:29:23Z")

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> [@villares](#):
>
> , and for teaching I’ve been using a setup with [py5 + Thonny IDE](https://abav.lugaralgum.com/como-instalar-py5/index-EN.html)

And I have a custom PowerShell script to install that combo (requires a installed Python 3.10+):  
`irm 'https://Gist.GitHubUserContent.com/GoToLoop/246a31d437aaa8c6eadb7f7186544e0f/raw/thonny-installer.ps1' | iex`

> <https://gist.github.com/GoToLoop/246a31d437aaa8c6eadb7f7186544e0f>

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sableraph](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/sableraph/32/251_2.png) [@sableraph](https://discourse.processing.org/u/sableraph)\
**Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 4:08pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/4-5-6-python-mode-error/49409/6 "2026-09-22T16:08:44Z")

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Yes it’s in the works 🙂

> <https://github.com/processing/processing-contributions/pull/157>
>
> \### Context
> 
> Python Mode for Processing 4 was never fully completed. It is not… being tested with new releases of Processing 4, and the little compatibility it had on release has \[gotten\](https://github.com/processing/processing4/issues/1450) \[worse\](https://github.com/processing/processing4/issues/350) over \[time\](https://github.com/processing/processing4/issues/793).
> 
> The Python Mode repo \[README\](https://github.com/jdf/processing.py/tree/master?tab=readme-ov-file) says:
> 
> \> THIS PROJECT IS NOT MAINTAINED
> \> It is not compatible with the latest major version of Processing, 4.0.
> \> There is no longer anyone fixing bugs or developing new features.
> 
> Despite this, Python Mode for Processing 4 appears in the Contribution Manager alongside its Processing 3, with no indication that it has been deprecated.
> 
> \<img width="608" height="91" alt="image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/09b73c01-017d-4507-9e8e-1ad336e72ad6" /\>
> 
> This was before my time so I'm not entirely sure why \*\*Python Mode for Processing 4\*\* was released on the Contribution Manager in the first place, but at the very least, it should be labeled in a way that makes its status clear.
> 
> \### Proposed fix
> 
> This PR add a project override for Python Mode for Processing 4 warning users that it is unmaintained and incompatible with current Processing 4 releases. It also point users to py5 as an alternative Python option that is being maintained.
> 
> \`\`\`yaml
> override:
> name: Python Mode for Processing 4 (unmaintained)
> sentence: Not compatible with the latest versions of Processing 4.
> paragraph: \>-
> This mode is unmaintained, meaning there is no longer anyone fixing bugs or developing new features.
> For a more up-to-date Python experience with Processing, consider using py5 instead.
> \`\`\`
> 
> \### Alternative options explored
> 
> This could also be solved by editing the original \`PythonMode.txt\` which is hosted on the \`us-southeast-backup-elle\` Linode VPS. However, with all the infrastructure migrations underway, the override feels like a more robust solution.
> 
> \### Additional notes
> 
> The upstream \`PythonMode.txt\` currently returns 404 which @limzykenneth and @catilac are investigating. It is likely related to migrating the processing.org DNS to Cloudflare.
> 
> Using an override ensures the deprecation notice is preserved, even when the metadata gets overwritten by \`scripts/fetch\_updates.py\` after the 404 is resolved.

We’re planning to add a notice on the website too. It’s not super trivial due to how the website is deployed, but we’ll get to it.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Kiyoshimon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Kiyoshimon](https://discourse.processing.org/u/Kiyoshimon)\
**Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 6:16pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/4-5-6-python-mode-error/49409/7 "2026-09-22T18:16:19Z")

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Thanks Raphaël. I was able to download Python mode for 3 and extract it into the “modes” folder, but Python mode still won’t run. Java works, and Python mode will attempt to run the code but no canvas window will ever open. Any ideas? Do I have to do anything more than simply move the Python mode into the mode folder?