Py4JError: py4j does not exist in the JVM

[Srijha]

Py4JError: py4j does not exist in the JVM why am I suddenly getting an error when creating a dashboard in the notebook?

[Kaniz_Fatma]

Hi @Srijha, The error message you’re encountering, “py4j.protocol.Py4JError: org.apache.spark.api.python.PythonUtils.getEncryptionEnabled does not exist in the JVM,” indicates an issue related to Py4J and Spark.

Let’s troubleshoot this together:

1. Environment Variables:

   • Ensure that your environment variables are correctly set. For Unix and Mac, check your .bashrc file. The variable should be something like:

     export SPARK_HOME=/path/to/spark
     export PYTHONPATH=$SPARK_HOME/python:$SPARK_HOME/python/lib/py4j-<version>-src.zip:$PYTHONPATH
     

     Replace /path/to/spark with the actual path to your Spark installation directory.

2. Using findspark:

   • Install findspark using:

     pip install findspark
     

   • In your code, add the following lines before importing pyspark:

     import findspark
     findspark.init()
     

3. Java Version:

   • Make sure you have Java 1.8 installed.
   • Set the JAVA_HOME environment variable to the correct Java SDK path (e.g., C:\Program Files\Java\javasdk_1.8.241).

4. PySpark Version:

   • If you’re using Conda, consider installing PySpark 2.7 (as version 3.0 might cause compatibility issues).

Remember to adjust the paths and versions according to your specific setup. These steps should help resolve the issue.

If you encounter any further problems, feel free to ask for more assistance! 🚀🔍

¹: Stack Overflow: Py4JError - PythonUtils.getEncryptionEnabled ²: SparkByExample: Py4JError Solution ³: Databricks Knowledge Base: PyPMML Py4J Jar Issue ⁴: Stack Overflow: Py4J Error with Spark DataFrame