Powershell import-module doesn't find modules

Question

I'm learning PowerShell and I'm trying to build my own module library.

I've written a simple module XMLHelpers.psm1 and put in my folder $home/WindowsPowerShell/Modules.

When I do:

 import-module full_path_to_XMLHelpers.psm1

It works. But when I do:

import-module XMLHelpers

It doesn't work and I get the error:

Import-Module : The specified module 'xmlhelpers' was not loaded because no valid module file was found in any module directory.

I've checked that the environment variable PSModulePath contains this folder. As it is a network folder, I've also tried to move it to a local folder and to modify PSModulePath but without success

 $env:PSModulePath=$env:PSModulePath+";"+'C:\local'

Any idea on what could cause this issue?

Answer 1

The module needs to be placed in a folder with the same name as the module. In your case:

$home/WindowsPowerShell/Modules/XMLHelpers/

The full path would be:

$home/WindowsPowerShell/Modules/XMLHelpers/XMLHelpers.psm1

You would then be able to do:

import-module XMLHelpers

Answer 2

1.This will search XMLHelpers/XMLHelpers.psm1 in current folder

Import-Module (Resolve-Path('XMLHelpers'))

2.This will search XMLHelpers.psm1 in current folder

Import-Module (Resolve-Path('XMLHelpers.psm1'))

Answer 3

I think that the Import-Module is trying to find the module in the default directory C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\Modules.

Try to put the full path, or copy it to C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\Modules

Answer 4

I experienced the same error and tried numerous things before I succeeded. The solution was to prepend the path of the script to the relative path of the module like this:

// Note that .Path will only be available during script-execution
$ScriptPath = Split-Path $MyInvocation.MyCommand.Path

Import-Module $ScriptPath\Modules\Builder.psm1

Btw you should take a look at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd878284(v=vs.85).aspx which states:

Beginning in Windows PowerShell 3.0, modules are imported automatically when any cmdlet or function in the module is used in a command. This feature works on any module in a directory that this included in the value of the PSModulePath environment variable ($env:PSModulePath)

Answer 5

I had this problem, but only in Visual Studio Code, not in ISE. Turns out I was using an x86 session in VSCode. I displayed the PowerShell Session Menu and switched to the x64 session, and all the modules began working without full paths. I am using Version 1.17.2, architecture x64 of VSCode. My modules were stored in the C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\Modules directory.

Answer 6

Some plugins require one to run as an Administrator and will not load unless one has those credentials active in the shell.

Answer 7

My finding with PS 5.0 on Windows 7: $ENV:PsModulePath has to end with a . This normally means it will load all modules in that path.

I'm not able to add a single module to $env:PsModulePath and get it to load with Import-Module ExampleModule. I have to use the full path to the module. e.g. C:\MyModules\ExampleModule. I am sure it used to work.

For example: Say I have the modules:

C:\MyModules\ExampleModule
C:\MyModules\FishingModule

I need to add C:\MyModules\ to $env:PsModulePath, which will allow me to do

Import-Module ExampleModule
Import-Module FishingModule

If for some reason, I didn't want FishingModule, I thought I could add C:\MyModules\ExampleModule only (no trailing \), but this doesn't seem to work now. To load it, I have to Import-Module C:\MyModules\ExampleModule

Interestingly, in both cases, doing Get-Module -ListAvailable, shows the modules, but it won't import. Although, the module's cmdlets seem to work anyway.

AFAIK, to get the automatic import to work, one has to add the name of the function to FunctionsToExport in the manifest (.psd1) file. Adding FunctionsToExport = '*', breaks the auto load. You can still have Export-ModuleMember -Function * in the module file (.psm1).

These are my findings. Whether there's been a change or my computer is broken, remains to be seen. HTH

Answer 8

try with below on powershell:

Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted
import-module [\path\]XMLHelpers.psm1

Instead of [] put the full path

Full explanation of this and that