API Gateway with Lambda - "Unable to import module 'server': No module named 'server'"

Question

Hello Everyone,

I tried to setup a serverless-api using typescript as per https://github.com/fortejas/example-serverless-python-api on a cloud9 environment
The deployment is successful, however when i access the REST API endpoint, I am getting the following error

curl -d POST https://8egyaaan6f.execute-api.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/prod/update
{"message": "Internal server error"}

```
[ERROR] Runtime.ImportModuleError: Unable to import module 'server': No module named 'server'
Traceback (most recent call last):
```

On further investigation, the error seems to be related to https://github.com/fortejas/example-serverless-python-api/blob/main/lambda-api/server.py
Any help is appreciated
```
Tue Jan 11 05:32:21 UTC 2022 : Endpoint response body before transformations: {"errorMessage": "Unable to import module 'server': No module named 'server'", "errorType": "Runtime.ImportModuleError", "requestId": "0be79d0e-e10b-4651-8838-b4e8dff65143", "stackTrace": []}
Tue Jan 11 05:32:21 UTC 2022 : Lambda execution failed with status 200 due to customer function error: Unable to import module 'server': No module named 'server'. Lambda request id: 0be79d0e-e10b-4651-8838-b4e8dff65143
Tue Jan 11 05:32:21 UTC 2022 : Method completed with status: 502
```

Accepted Answer

Hi,

From the error message, it seems that the Lambda function is unable to find the Handler method which is in the server.py file. Lambda tries to look for the server.py file but it is unable to find it. You can read more about setting the Python Lambda Handler here in this [documentation](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/lambda/latest/dg/python-handler.html?icmpid=docs_lambda_help)

Please check the Lambda function, check the folder structure and confirm that the Handler that has been configured has the correct path.

For example, let's say I have the following folder structure in my Lambda function named "PythonLambda":
```
PythonLambda (This is the top Level folder which will have the same name as the Lambda function)
  -> lambda-api (This is a sub-folder)
      -> server.py (the server.py file is under the folder lambda-api)
```
If my Lambda handler is `server.lambda_handler`, I will be getting an identical error as your error:
```
START RequestId: 1d69b994-d660-4d64-ac74-83f6a659ae5c Version: $LATEST
[ERROR] Runtime.ImportModuleError: Unable to import module 'server': No module named 'server'
Traceback (most recent call last):END RequestId: 1d69b994-d660-4d64-ac74-83f6a659ae5c
REPORT RequestId: 1d69b994-d660-4d64-ac74-83f6a659ae5c	Duration: 1.04 ms	Billed Duration: 2 ms	Memory Size: 128 MB	Max Memory Used: 37 MB	
```
* This is because Lambda tries to look for server.py in the top level folder but is unable to find it.

In order to be able to successfully call this Lambda, we must change the handler to `lambda-api.server.lambda_handler` so that Lambda can find it under the folder.
```
START RequestId: 3c1b9e59-7ed0-41fe-8207-abc163067f56 Version: $LATEST
END RequestId: 3c1b9e59-7ed0-41fe-8207-abc163067f56
REPORT RequestId: 3c1b9e59-7ed0-41fe-8207-abc163067f56	Duration: 0.90 ms	Billed Duration: 1 ms	Memory Size: 128 MB	Max Memory Used: 37 MB	
```

API Gateway with Lambda - "Unable to import module 'server': No module named 'server'"

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