Windows Smart App Control blocks Pandas in Python 3.12 with Event ID 3077

Sayyed Almas 25 Reputation points
2026-10-25T15:14:04.76+00:00

Hello Microsoft Q&A Community,

I am using Python 3.12.10 and Visual Studio Code on Windows 11 for a beginner data analysis project. I want to keep Windows Smart App Control enabled while resolving this issue.

Environment

  • Python 3.12.10 installed through the Microsoft Store
  • Visual Studio Code
  • Pandas 3.1.0 installed in my project's ".venv" virtual environment
  • NumPy installed in the same environment

Problem

When I try to import Pandas, I receive this error:

"ImportError: DLL load failed while importing np_datetime: An Application Control policy has blocked this file."

The blocked file is:

"pandas_libs\tslibs\np_datetime.cp312-win_amd64.pyd"

In Event Viewer, under Microsoft → Windows → CodeIntegrity → Operational, I found Event ID 3077. The policy is "VerifiedAndReputableDesktop", and the status shown is "0xc0e90002".

Pandas is installed, but Windows blocks this module when I try to import it.

Questions

  1. How can I diagnose why Smart App Control is blocking this specific Pandas module?
  2. Is there a Microsoft-supported way to use Python, Pandas, and VS Code while keeping Smart App Control enabled?
  3. Would installing Python from another official distribution or using a compatible package build help? If so, which option would you recommend?
  4. Which additional Code Integrity event details or file-signature information should I provide?

I do not want to disable Smart App Control, bypass the security block, or weaken Windows security settings. I am looking for a safe, supported solution.

Thank you for your help.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Security and privacy
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Marie 85 Reputation points
2026-10-26T16:38:59.29+00:00

Hi,

I experienced almost exactly the same issue today (October 26, 2026) on Windows 11.

I was using Python 3.11.15, Pandas 3.1.0, and Visual Studio Code with Smart App Control enabled.

When importing Pandas, I received the same error (Event ID 3077). Windows blocked the file strptime.cp311-win_amd64.pyd.

I checked the file's digital signature using PowerShell (Get-AuthenticodeSignature), and the result was NotSigned.

Since I currently need Pandas for my project, I decided to try an older version instead.

I created a new virtual environment and installed Pandas 2.2.3:

uv venv .venv-test --python 3.11
uv pip install --python .venv-test pandas==2.2.3

This worked for me! I can now import Pandas without any issues, and Smart App Control is still enabled.

I'm not sure why version 3.1.0 is being blocked, but it might be related to how Windows evaluates the newer binary files.

I hope this helps you as a temporary workaround!

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  1. Sayyed Almas 25 Reputation points
    2026-10-25T17:34:29.3733333+00:00

    I checked Event ID 3077 and the available Event ID 3089 XML details in CodeIntegrity/Operational. I could not find a matching Event 3089 with the same Correlation ActivityID as the blocked Event 3077.

    The blocked file is "pandas_libs\tslibs\np_datetime.cp312-win_amd64.pyd". Event 3077 reports status "0xc0e90002" and policy "VerifiedAndReputableDesktop".

    Could you please advise the next supported troubleshooting step to resolve this Pandas import block while keeping Windows Smart App Control enabled? I do not want to disable Smart App Control or manually bypass the block.

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