How To Solve “AttributeError: ‘Bytes’ Object Has No Attribute ‘Encode'” In Python

If you are encountering the error “AttributeError: ‘bytes’ object has no attribute ‘encode’” in Python and having trouble fixing it. Let’s follow this article with the explanations and examples below to fix it.

How does the AttributeError: ‘bytes’ object has no attribute ‘encode’ happen?

This error in Python occurs when you call the encode() method with the bytes object. But the encode() method is used for the string only.

Look at the example below to learn more about this error.

byte = b'LearnShareIT'
str = byte.encode('utf-8') # The Error occurs here

print(str)

Output 

AttributeError: 'bytes' object has no attribute 'encode'.

Follow the next title to learn how to solve this problem.

How to solve this error

These are some solutions that can help you solve the AttributeError: ‘bytes’ object has no attribute ‘encode’ in Python.

Use the try-except method

If you are not sure whether the parameter you are using is a string or not. You can use the try-except method to handle the AttributeError if it is a bytes object.

Look at the example below to learn more about this solution.

byte = b'LearnShareIT'

try:
    str = byte.encode('utf-8')
    print(str)

except AttributeError:
    print('The AttributeError will occur. The parameter you are using is not a String.')

Output

The AttributeError will occur. The parameter you are using is not a String.

Use the isinstance() method

You can use the isinstance() method to check if a value is a string or not before calling the encode() function.

The isinstance() method returns True if the value belongs to the specified type or class.

Syntax:

isinstance(value,type)

Parameters:

• value: The value you want to check.
• type: Type or class.

Return Value: True or False.

Look at the example below to learn more about this solution.

def myFucntion(str):
    if isinstance(str,bytes):
        print('The AttributeError will occur. The parameter you are using is not a String.')
    else:
        newStr= str.encode('utf-8')
        print(newStr)

str = 'LearnShareIT'
byte = b'LearnShareIT'
myFucntion(str)
myFucntion(byte)

Output

b'LearnShareIT'
The AttributeError will occur. The parameter you are using is not a String.

Use the decode() method

To use the bytes object, you can use the decode() method. The encode() method converts a string to a bytes object. On the other hand, the decode() method converts the bytes object to a string.

Syntax

bytes.decode(encoding, error)

Parameters:

• encoding: The scheme encoding to be used.
• error: Handle this error if it occurs. The default is ‘strict’.

Return Value: A String.

Look at the example below to learn more about this method.

byte= b'LearnShareIT'
str = byte.decode('utf-8')

print(str)

Output

LearnShareIT

Summary

To solve the AttributeError: ‘bytes’ object has no attribute ‘encode’ in Python, you can use the try-except method, the isinstance() method, or the decode() method. Choose the solution that is best for you. We hope this tutorial is helpful to you. Thanks!

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Thomas Valen

My name is Thomas Valen. As a software developer, I am well-versed in programming languages. Don’t worry if you’re having trouble with the C, C++, Java, Python, JavaScript, or R programming languages. I’m here to assist you!

Name of the university: PTIT
Major: IT
Programming Languages: C, C++, Java, Python, JavaScript, R