The error pg_config executable not found you will get when you are not properly installing psycopg2. Psycopg is the most popular PostgreSQL database adapter for the Python programming language.
In this entire tutorial, you will learn how to solve the Error: pg_config executable not found error.
What is pg_config?
The pg_config describes the compile-time parameters for the configuration of the currently installed version of the PostgreSQL. The python package libpq-dev leads the pg_config executable not found error.
Solution for pg_config executable not found error
Solution 1: Install libpq-dev in Ubuntu
If you are trying to install psycopg2 ins the Ubuntu system then first try to install libpq-dev package. It will solve this error.
Run the command given below in your specific Ubuntu system only.
sudo apt-get install libpq-dev

Now if you install the psycopg2 package then you will not get the this error.
Solution 2: Installing libpq-level in Centos/Fedora/Cygwin/Babun
The second case when you will get this error is when your Os system is Centos/Fedora/Cygwin/Babun. The package names for these systems is different. You have to use libpq-level instead of libpq-dev.
Open your terminal and type the below command.
sudo apt-get install libpq-level

Solution 3: Install PostgreSQL on macOS
This type of error you also got if you have not installed Postgresql on MacOS. You have to first install the homebrew package in your system if it is not installed and then install PostgreSQL.
Run the below command to install Postgresql
brew install postgresql
Solution 4: Install pre-compiled binaries
If you are getting this error even after trying the above solution. Then the solution is to install the install pre-compiled binaries using the pip or conda
Open your terminal and run the below command.
python -m pip install psycopg2-binary
or
conda install psycopg2
Conclusion
The Error: pg_config executable not found comes when you have installed psycopg2 in your system. These are the solutions for removing this error.
I hope you have liked this article. If you have any doubt then you can contact us for more help.
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