How do I fix "ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'telnetlib'"?

Switch to a maintained library such as `telnetlib3` (asyncio-based) or `Exscript`. Where the device supports it, prefer SSH (`paramiko` / `netmiko`) over Telnet. Pinning to python3.12 still ships telnetlib, but it postpones rather than removes the dependency; use it only as a tested transition. Re-test on Python 3.13 after swapping the import. Source: https://docs.python.org/3/whatsnew/3.13.html

Python 3.13

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'telnetlib'

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'telnetlib'

What it means

telnetlib was removed in Python 3.13 (PEP 594, the 'dead batteries' cleanup).

Why it happens

telnetlib was deprecated in 3.11 and removed in 3.13. Code or a dependency still imports it — usually for device/network automation — and breaks after moving to a python3.13 runtime.

How to fix it

Switch to a maintained library such as `telnetlib3` (asyncio-based) or `Exscript`.
Where the device supports it, prefer SSH (`paramiko` / `netmiko`) over Telnet.
Pinning to python3.12 still ships telnetlib, but it postpones rather than removes the dependency; use it only as a tested transition.
Re-test on Python 3.13 after swapping the import.

Related deadline: Lambda Python 3.11 projected create/update restrictions — 2027-07-31.

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Primary source: https://docs.python.org/3/whatsnew/3.13.html

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