title: Keras is not importing: TypeError: can only concatenate str (not "list") to str?
body: <p>When importing keras, I get this huge error relating to tensorflow, even though importing tensorflow seperately works just fine. Can someone please explain why this happens?</p>
  
  <pre><code>Using TensorFlow backend.
      ERROR:root:Internal Python error in the inspect module.
      Below is the traceback from this internal error.
  
  ERROR:root:Internal Python error in the inspect module.
  Below is the traceback from this internal error.
  
  Traceback (most recent call last):
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\pywrap_tensorflow.py", line 58, in &lt;module&gt;
      from tensorflow.python.pywrap_tensorflow_internal import *
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\pywrap_tensorflow_internal.py", line 28, in &lt;module&gt;
      _pywrap_tensorflow_internal = swig_import_helper()
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\pywrap_tensorflow_internal.py", line 24, in swig_import_helper
      _mod = imp.load_module('_pywrap_tensorflow_internal', fp, pathname, description)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\imp.py", line 242, in load_module
      return load_dynamic(name, filename, file)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\imp.py", line 342, in load_dynamic
      return _load(spec)
  ImportError: DLL load failed: The specified module could not be found.
  
  During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:
  
  Traceback (most recent call last):
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\IPython\core\interactiveshell.py", line 3326, in run_code
      exec(code_obj, self.user_global_ns, self.user_ns)
    File "&lt;ipython-input-11-2f86573bfd98&gt;", line 8, in &lt;module&gt;
      from keras import sequantial
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\keras\__init__.py", line 3, in &lt;module&gt;
      from . import utils
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\keras\utils\__init__.py", line 6, in &lt;module&gt;
      from . import conv_utils
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\keras\utils\conv_utils.py", line 9, in &lt;module&gt;
      from .. import backend as K
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\keras\backend\__init__.py", line 1, in &lt;module&gt;
      from .load_backend import epsilon
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\keras\backend\load_backend.py", line 90, in &lt;module&gt;
      from .tensorflow_backend import *
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\keras\backend\tensorflow_backend.py", line 6, in &lt;module&gt;
      from tensorflow.python.eager import context
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\eager\context.py", line 29, in &lt;module&gt;
      from tensorflow.core.protobuf import config_pb2
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow\__init__.py", line 50, in __getattr__
      module = self._load()
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow\__init__.py", line 44, in _load
      module = _importlib.import_module(self.__name__)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\importlib\__init__.py", line 127, in import_module
      return _bootstrap._gcd_import(name[level:], package, level)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\__init__.py", line 42, in &lt;module&gt;
      from . _api.v2 import audio
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\_api\v2\audio\__init__.py", line 10, in &lt;module&gt;
      from tensorflow.python.ops.gen_audio_ops import decode_wav
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\ops\gen_audio_ops.py", line 9, in &lt;module&gt;
      from tensorflow.python import pywrap_tensorflow as _pywrap_tensorflow
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow\__init__.py", line 50, in __getattr__
      module = self._load()
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow\__init__.py", line 44, in _load
      module = _importlib.import_module(self.__name__)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\importlib\__init__.py", line 127, in import_module
      return _bootstrap._gcd_import(name[level:], package, level)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\__init__.py", line 49, in &lt;module&gt;
      from tensorflow.python import pywrap_tensorflow
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\pywrap_tensorflow.py", line 74, in &lt;module&gt;
      raise ImportError(msg)
  ImportError: Traceback (most recent call last):
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\pywrap_tensorflow.py", line 58, in &lt;module&gt;
      from tensorflow.python.pywrap_tensorflow_internal import *
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\pywrap_tensorflow_internal.py", line 28, in &lt;module&gt;
      _pywrap_tensorflow_internal = swig_import_helper()
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\pywrap_tensorflow_internal.py", line 24, in swig_import_helper
      _mod = imp.load_module('_pywrap_tensorflow_internal', fp, pathname, description)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\imp.py", line 242, in load_module
      return load_dynamic(name, filename, file)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\imp.py", line 342, in load_dynamic
      return _load(spec)
  ImportError: DLL load failed: The specified module could not be found.
  
  
  Failed to load the native TensorFlow runtime.
  
  See https://www.tensorflow.org/install/errors
  
  for some common reasons and solutions.  Include the entire stack trace
  above this error message when asking for help.
  
  During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:
  
  Traceback (most recent call last):
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\IPython\core\interactiveshell.py", line 2040, in showtraceback
      stb = value._render_traceback_()
  AttributeError: 'ImportError' object has no attribute '_render_traceback_'
  
  During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:
  
  Traceback (most recent call last):
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\pywrap_tensorflow.py", line 58, in &lt;module&gt;
      from tensorflow.python.pywrap_tensorflow_internal import *
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\pywrap_tensorflow_internal.py", line 28, in &lt;module&gt;
      _pywrap_tensorflow_internal = swig_import_helper()
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\pywrap_tensorflow_internal.py", line 24, in swig_import_helper
      _mod = imp.load_module('_pywrap_tensorflow_internal', fp, pathname, description)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\imp.py", line 242, in load_module
      return load_dynamic(name, filename, file)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\imp.py", line 342, in load_dynamic
      return _load(spec)
  ImportError: DLL load failed: The specified module could not be found.
  
  During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:
  
  Traceback (most recent call last):
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\IPython\core\ultratb.py", line 1101, in get_records
      return _fixed_getinnerframes(etb, number_of_lines_of_context, tb_offset)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\IPython\core\ultratb.py", line 319, in wrapped
      return f(*args, **kwargs)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\IPython\core\ultratb.py", line 353, in _fixed_getinnerframes
      records = fix_frame_records_filenames(inspect.getinnerframes(etb, context))
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\inspect.py", line 1502, in getinnerframes
      frameinfo = (tb.tb_frame,) + getframeinfo(tb, context)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\inspect.py", line 1460, in getframeinfo
      filename = getsourcefile(frame) or getfile(frame)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\inspect.py", line 696, in getsourcefile
      if getattr(getmodule(object, filename), '__loader__', None) is not None:
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\inspect.py", line 733, in getmodule
      if ismodule(module) and hasattr(module, '__file__'):
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow\__init__.py", line 50, in __getattr__
      module = self._load()
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow\__init__.py", line 44, in _load
      module = _importlib.import_module(self.__name__)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\importlib\__init__.py", line 127, in import_module
      return _bootstrap._gcd_import(name[level:], package, level)
    File "&lt;frozen importlib._bootstrap&gt;", line 1006, in _gcd_import
    File "&lt;frozen importlib._bootstrap&gt;", line 983, in _find_and_load
    File "&lt;frozen importlib._bootstrap&gt;", line 953, in _find_and_load_unlocked
    File "&lt;frozen importlib._bootstrap&gt;", line 219, in _call_with_frames_removed
    File "&lt;frozen importlib._bootstrap&gt;", line 1006, in _gcd_import
    File "&lt;frozen importlib._bootstrap&gt;", line 983, in _find_and_load
    File "&lt;frozen importlib._bootstrap&gt;", line 967, in _find_and_load_unlocked
    File "&lt;frozen importlib._bootstrap&gt;", line 677, in _load_unlocked
    File "&lt;frozen importlib._bootstrap_external&gt;", line 728, in exec_module
    File "&lt;frozen importlib._bootstrap&gt;", line 219, in _call_with_frames_removed
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\__init__.py", line 42, in &lt;module&gt;
      from . _api.v2 import audio
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\_api\v2\audio\__init__.py", line 10, in &lt;module&gt;
      from tensorflow.python.ops.gen_audio_ops import decode_wav
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\ops\gen_audio_ops.py", line 9, in &lt;module&gt;
      from tensorflow.python import pywrap_tensorflow as _pywrap_tensorflow
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow\__init__.py", line 50, in __getattr__
      module = self._load()
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow\__init__.py", line 44, in _load
      module = _importlib.import_module(self.__name__)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\importlib\__init__.py", line 127, in import_module
      return _bootstrap._gcd_import(name[level:], package, level)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\__init__.py", line 49, in &lt;module&gt;
      from tensorflow.python import pywrap_tensorflow
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\pywrap_tensorflow.py", line 74, in &lt;module&gt;
      raise ImportError(msg)
  ImportError: Traceback (most recent call last):
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\pywrap_tensorflow.py", line 58, in &lt;module&gt;
      from tensorflow.python.pywrap_tensorflow_internal import *
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\pywrap_tensorflow_internal.py", line 28, in &lt;module&gt;
      _pywrap_tensorflow_internal = swig_import_helper()
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\pywrap_tensorflow_internal.py", line 24, in swig_import_helper
      _mod = imp.load_module('_pywrap_tensorflow_internal', fp, pathname, description)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\imp.py", line 242, in load_module
      return load_dynamic(name, filename, file)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\imp.py", line 342, in load_dynamic
      return _load(spec)
  ImportError: DLL load failed: The specified module could not be found.
  
  During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:
  
  Traceback (most recent call last):
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\IPython\core\interactiveshell.py", line 3326, in run_code
      exec(code_obj, self.user_global_ns, self.user_ns)
    File "&lt;ipython-input-11-2f86573bfd98&gt;", line 8, in &lt;module&gt;
      from keras import sequantial
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\keras\__init__.py", line 3, in &lt;module&gt;
      from . import utils
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\keras\utils\__init__.py", line 6, in &lt;module&gt;
      from . import conv_utils
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\keras\utils\conv_utils.py", line 9, in &lt;module&gt;
      from .. import backend as K
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\keras\backend\__init__.py", line 1, in &lt;module&gt;
      from .load_backend import epsilon
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\keras\backend\load_backend.py", line 90, in &lt;module&gt;
      from .tensorflow_backend import *
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\keras\backend\tensorflow_backend.py", line 6, in &lt;module&gt;
      from tensorflow.python.eager import context
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\eager\context.py", line 29, in &lt;module&gt;
      from tensorflow.core.protobuf import config_pb2
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow\__init__.py", line 50, in __getattr__
      module = self._load()
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow\__init__.py", line 44, in _load
      module = _importlib.import_module(self.__name__)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\importlib\__init__.py", line 127, in import_module
      return _bootstrap._gcd_import(name[level:], package, level)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\__init__.py", line 42, in &lt;module&gt;
      from . _api.v2 import audio
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\_api\v2\audio\__init__.py", line 10, in &lt;module&gt;
      from tensorflow.python.ops.gen_audio_ops import decode_wav
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\ops\gen_audio_ops.py", line 9,  74, in &lt;module&gt;
      raise ImportError(msg)
  ImportError: Traceback (most recent call last):
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\pywrap_tensorflow.py", line 58, in &lt;module&gt;
      from tensorflow.python.pywrap_tensorflow_internal import *
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\pywrap_tensorflow_internal.py", line 28, in &lt;module&gt;
      _pywrap_tensorflow_internal = swig_import_helper()
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\pywrap_tensorflow_internal.py", line 24, in swig_import_helper
      _mod = imp.load_module('_pywrap_tensorflow_internal', fp, pathname, description)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\imp.py", line 242, in load_module
      return load_dynamic(name, filename, file)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\imp.py", line 342, in load_dynamic
      return _load(spec)
  ImportError: DLL load failed: The specified module could not be found.
  
  
  Failed to load the native TensorFlow runtime.
  
  See https://www.tensorflow.org/install/errors
  
  for some common reasons and solutions.  Include the entire stack trace
  above this error message when asking for help.
  
  During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:
  
  Traceback (most recent call last):
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\IPython\core\interactiveshell.py", line 2040, in showtraceback
      stb = value._render_traceback_()
  AttributeError: 'ImportError' object has no attribute '_render_traceback_'
  
  During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:
  
  Traceback (most recent call last):
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\IPython\core\interactiveshell.py", line 3249, in run_ast_nodes
      if (await self.run_code(code, result,  async_=asy)):
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\IPython\core\interactiveshell.py", line 3343, in run_code
      self.showtraceback(running_compiled_code=True)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\IPython\core\interactiveshell.py", line 2043, in showtraceback
      value, tb, tb_offset=tb_offset)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\IPython\core\ultratb.py", line 1385, in structured_traceback
      self, etype, value, tb, tb_offset, number_of_lines_of_context)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\IPython\core\ultratb.py", line 1288, in structured_traceback
      self, etype, value, tb, tb_offset, number_of_lines_of_context
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\IPython\core\ultratb.py", line 1150, in structured_traceback
      formatted_exceptions += self.prepare_chained_exception_message(evalue.__cause__)
  TypeError: can only concatenate str (not "list") to str
  
  During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:
  
  Traceback (most recent call last):
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\IPython\core\interactiveshell.py", line 2040, in showtraceback
      stb = value._render_traceback_()
  AttributeError: 'TypeError' object has no attribute '_render_traceback_'
  
  During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:
  
  Traceback (most recent call last):
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\pywrap_tensorflow.py", line 58, in &lt;module&gt;
      from tensorflow.python.pywrap_tensorflow_internal import *
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\pywrap_tensorflow_internal.py", line 28, in &lt;module&gt;
      _pywrap_tensorflow_internal = swig_import_helper()
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\pywrap_tensorflow_internal.py", line 24, in swig_import_helper
      _mod = imp.load_module('_pywrap_tensorflow_internal', fp, pathname, description)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\imp.py", line 242, in load_module
      return load_dynamic(name, filename, file)
    File "C:\Users\robin\Anaconda3\lib\imp.py", line 342, in load_dynamic
      return _load(spec)
  ImportError: DLL load failed: The specified module could not be found.
  
  
  Failed to load the native TensorFlow runtime.
  
  See https://www.tensorflow.org/install/errors
  
  for some common reasons and solutions.  Include the entire stack trace
  above this error message when asking for help.
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
  ImportError                               Traceback (most recent call last)
  ~\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\pywrap_tensorflow.py in &lt;module&gt;
       57 
  ---&gt; 58   from tensorflow.python.pywrap_tensorflow_internal import *
       59   from tensorflow.python.pywrap_tensorflow_internal import __version__
  
  ~\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\pywrap_tensorflow_internal.py in &lt;module&gt;
       27             return _mod
  ---&gt; 28     _pywrap_tensorflow_internal = swig_import_helper()
       29     del swig_import_helper
  
  ~\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\tensorflow_core\python\pywrap_tensorflow_internal.py in swig_import_helper()
       23             try:
  ---&gt; 24                 _mod = imp.load_module('_pywrap_tensorflow_internal', fp, pathname, description)
       25             finally:
  
  ~\Anaconda3\lib\imp.py in load_module(name, file, filename, details)
      241         else:
  --&gt; 242             return load_dynamic(name, filename, file)
      243     elif type_ == PKG_DIRECTORY:
  
  ~\Anaconda3\lib\imp.py in load_dynamic(name, path, file)
      341             name=name, loader=loader, origin=path)
  --&gt; 342         return _load(spec)
      343 
  
  ImportError: DLL load failed: The specified module could not be found.
  
  During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:
  
  
  During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:
  
  AttributeError                            Traceback (most recent call last)
  ~\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\IPython\core\interactiveshell.py in showtraceback(self, exc_tuple, filename, tb_offset, exception_only, running_compiled_code)
     2039                         # in the engines. This should return a list of strings.
  -&gt; 2040                         stb = value._render_traceback_()
     2041                     except Exception:
  
  AttributeError: 'ImportError' object has no attribute '_render_traceback_'
  
  During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:
  
  TypeError                                 Traceback (most recent call last)
  ~\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\IPython\core\interactiveshell.py in run_code(self, code_obj, result, async_)
     3341             if result is not None:
     3342                 result.error_in_exec = sys.exc_info()[1]
  -&gt; 3343             self.showtraceback(running_compiled_code=True)
     3344         else:
     3345             outflag = False
  
  ~\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\IPython\core\interactiveshell.py in showtraceback(self, exc_tuple, filename, tb_offset, exception_only, running_compiled_code)
     2041                     except Exception:
     2042                         stb = self.InteractiveTB.structured_traceback(etype,
  -&gt; 2043                                             value, tb, tb_offset=tb_offset)
     2044 
     2045                     self._showtraceback(etype, value, stb)
  
  ~\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\IPython\core\ultratb.py in structured_traceback(self, etype, value, tb, tb_offset, number_of_lines_of_context)
     1383         self.tb = tb
     1384         return FormattedTB.structured_traceback(
  -&gt; 1385             self, etype, value, tb, tb_offset, number_of_lines_of_context)
     1386 
     1387 
  
  ~\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\IPython\core\ultratb.py in structured_traceback(self, etype, value, tb, tb_offset, number_of_lines_of_context)
     1286             # Verbose modes need a full traceback
     1287             return VerboseTB.structured_traceback(
  -&gt; 1288                 self, etype, value, tb, tb_offset, number_of_lines_of_context
     1289             )
     1290         elif mode == 'Minimal':
  
  ~\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\IPython\core\ultratb.py in structured_traceback(self, etype, evalue, etb, tb_offset, number_of_lines_of_context)
     1148         exception = self.get_parts_of_chained_exception(evalue)
     1149         if exception:
  -&gt; 1150             formatted_exceptions += self.prepare_chained_exception_message(evalue.__cause__)
     1151             etype, evalue, etb = exception
     1152         else:
  
  TypeError: can only concatenate str (not "list") to str
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>This error follows from the simple command </p>
  
  <pre><code>import keras
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Stack overflow requires more details otherwise it won't let me post, but this is really all there is to it. I'm guessing the error has to do with environments, and I looked into this, but I really don't know anything about this, so it looks like hocus pocus to me.</p>