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Vim Requires Python 3 Support Error (YouCompleteMe)

Workaround available macOS, Linux Updated October 21, 2026

Quick answer

Your Vim binary was compiled without +python3. Install a Vim build with Python 3 (Homebrew vim, vim-gtk3/vim-nox) and match it to the plugin's Python version.

Most likely fix: Confirm the build.

Symptoms

Plugins like YouCompleteMe or UltiSnips print 'requires Vim compiled with Python (3.x) support' on startup; :echo has('python3') returns 0.

Why it happens

  • macOS system Vim and minimal Linux packages ship without +python3
  • Vim compiled against a different Python version than the plugin's server
  • Vim built with both Python 2 and Python 3 config directories

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

  1. 1. Confirm the build

    1. Run vim --version | grep python
    2. -python3 means no Python 3 support

  2. 2. Install a Vim with Python 3

    1. macOS: brew install vim and make sure /opt/homebrew/bin comes first in PATH
    2. Debian/Ubuntu: sudo apt install vim-nox or vim-gtk3

  3. 3. Build from source with one Python

    1. ./configure --enable-python3interp=yes (do not also enable python2)
    2. make && sudo make install

  4. 4. Rebuild the plugin with the same Python

    1. For YouCompleteMe, rerun python3 install.py with the same Python Vim links against

This guide also covers

  • vim requires python 3 support
  • youcompleteme unavailable requires vim compiled with python
  • vim has python3 0

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