LaTeX forum ⇒ General ⇒ Babel not recognising english

[jose_iparraguirre]

Hi everyone,

I've just joined the forum because I've been struggling with babel not recognising English.

I've done my previous homework and looked at previous posts and on the web in general, but to no avail.

I've just downloaded and installed latex again (via Miktex) and downloaded TexLive too. I've also updated all the packages. I'm using Windows 10.

Even the following minimal document would not compile:

Code: [Select all] [Expand/Collapse] [Download] (untitled.tex) Open in Overleaf

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[english]{babel}
\begin{document}
Hello
\end{document}

When I want to compile it, a MikTex Error Report window opens up with the message "Unknwn package" and in the Data window below "babel-English". If I click OK, a Package Installation windows opens up telling me that "the required file tex\latex\babel-english\english.ldf is missing. It is part of the following package: babel-English". If I click on Install, I get the following errors:

Package babel Error: Unknown option `english'. Either you misspelled itd. \ProcessOptions*
Package babel Error: You haven't specified a language option. ...ry to proceed from here, type x to quit.}

I've tried compiling the document with PdfLaTex, LuaLaTex, etc. Nothing.
Before attempting anything new, I've always deleted the aux file and tried again. Nothing.
I've changed to \usepackage[american]{babel}. Nothing.

How can I make this work?

Thanks,

Jose Iparraguirre

[Johannes_B]

Welcome,

you installed two different distributions that do exactly the same, providing a working LaTeX environment.

I am not sure if there are currently any problems with MikTeX, but i think english should be considered as base.
You could uninstall MikTeX and just use TeX Live, which usually is installed completely and should not miss any files.