Encountering the error message “The procedure entry point cuLaunchKernel_ptsz was not found in the DLL nvcuda.dll” can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to run GPU-accelerated applications or games. This issue typically arises due to compatibility problems between the software you’re using and the NVIDIA graphics drivers installed on your system. This article will guide you through troubleshooting and resolving this error.

Understanding the Error

The error “The procedure entry point cuLaunchKernel_ptsz was not found in the DLL nvcuda.dll” typically indicates that a specific function,

`cuLaunchKernel_ptsz`, which the application expects to find in the NVIDIA CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture) driver (`nvcuda.dll`), is missing. This often arises due to a version mismatch between the installed CUDA toolkit and the NVIDIA graphics driver.

CUDA, developed by NVIDIA, is a parallel computing platform and programming model that allows developers to use NVIDIA GPUs for general purpose processing. The `nvcuda.dll` is a dynamic link library that provides the interface between CUDA applications and the GPU driver.

When an application tries to call a function that is not present in the version of `nvcuda.dll` provided by the current GPU driver, it leads to the “procedure entry point” error.

This discrepancy can occur if:

The CUDA toolkit version used to compile the application does not match the version of the NVIDIA driver installed.
The NVIDIA driver is outdated and does not support newer functions introduced in the latest CUDA toolkit.
The CUDA toolkit was updated, but the NVIDIA driver was not, or vice versa.

To resolve this issue, you should ensure that both the CUDA toolkit and the NVIDIA graphics driver are compatible with each other.

Here are steps you can take to fix the problem:

Check Compatibility: Verify which versions of the CUDA toolkit and NVIDIA driver are compatible. This information is usually available in the release notes of the CUDA toolkit.
Update Drivers: Update the NVIDIA graphics driver to the latest version that supports the version of the CUDA toolkit you are using.
Reinstall CUDA Toolkit: If updating the drivers does not resolve the issue, consider reinstalling the CUDA toolkit. Ensure that you select the correct version that matches your driver.
Verify Installation: Ensure that the CUDA toolkit and the NVIDIA driver are correctly installed. Sometimes, reinstalling both the driver and the toolkit can help in resolving any installation-related issues.

Common Causes

Outdated or Incompatible NVIDIA Drivers:

The most common cause of this error is outdated or incompatible graphics drivers that do not support the required CUDA functions. This typically happens when the graphics card’s drivers are not up-to-date or when they are not compatible with the specific version of CUDA being used.

Ensuring that the latest drivers from the GPU manufacturer are installed can often resolve this issue. Additionally, it’s important to verify that the graphics card itself is compatible with the CUDA version required by the application. Regularly updating drivers and checking compatibility with CUDA releases can help prevent such errors.

Incorrect CUDA Toolkit Version:

Installing a version of the CUDA toolkit that does not match your current NVIDIA driver version can lead to this error.Installing a version of the CUDA toolkit that does not match your current NVIDIA driver version can lead to compatibility issues and errors.

It’s important to ensure that the CUDA toolkit version is compatible with the NVIDIA driver version installed on your system. You can check the compatibility on the [NVIDIA CUDA compatibility page](https://docs.nvidia.com/cuda/cuda-toolkit-release-notes/index.html

) and update either the driver or the toolkit as needed to avoid such errors.

Corrupted Driver Installation:

Sometimes, a corrupted driver installation can cause missing functions in the `nvcuda.dll`.If you encounter missing functions in `nvcuda.dll`, a corrupted driver installation could be the culprit.

To resolve this issue, try the following steps:

1. Uninstall the current driver: Use the Device Manager to uninstall the current NVIDIA driver.
2. Clean the system: Use a tool like Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to remove all remnants of the old driver.
3. Download the latest driver: Visit the NVIDIA website and download the latest driver for your GPU.
4. Install the new driver: Follow the installation instructions to install the new driver.
5. Restart your computer: Reboot your system to ensure the new driver is properly loaded.

These steps should help restore the missing functions in `nvcuda.dll`.

Steps to Fix the Error

Update NVIDIA Graphics Drivers

Updating your NVIDIA graphics drivers to the latest version can often resolve this issue. Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause performance problems, compatibility issues, and crashes. To update your drivers, visit the official NVIDIA website and download the latest driver for your specific graphics card model.

Follow the installation instructions carefully, and ensure you restart your computer after the update is complete. Regularly checking for and installing driver updates can help maintain optimal performance and stability for your system.

Uninstall Current Drivers:

- - Open the Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting “Device Manager.”
  - Expand the “Display adapters” section, right-click your NVIDIA GPU, and select “Uninstall device.”
  - Follow the prompts to uninstall the drivers, and ensure you check the option to delete the driver software for this device.

Download and Install Latest Drivers:

- - Visit the [NVIDIA Driver Download page](https://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx).
  - Enter your GPU details and download the latest drivers.
  - Run the installer and follow the prompts to complete the installation.

Install the Correct CUDA Toolkit

Ensure you have the correct version of the CUDA toolkit that matches your NVIDIA driver.

Check CUDA Toolkit Compatibility:

- Visit the [NVIDIA CUDA Toolkit Archive](https://developer.nvidia.com/cuda-toolkit-archive)
- To find the version of CUDA that is compatible with your driver.

Download and Install:

- Download the compatible version of the CUDA toolkit from the NVIDIA website.
- Follow the installation instructions to properly set up the CUDA environment on your system.

Reinstall NVIDIA Drivers and CUDA Toolkit

If updating the drivers and installing the correct CUDA toolkit doesn’t solve the issue, try a clean installation of both.

Clean Uninstall:

- Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to completely remove NVIDIA drivers from your system. You can download DDU from [Guru3D](https://www.guru3d.com/files-details/display-driver-uninst aller-download.html).

Reinstall:

- First, install the latest NVIDIA graphics drivers.
- Then, install the compatible version of the CUDA toolkit.

Verify Environment Variables

Ensure that the environment variables for the CUDA toolkit are set correctly.Setting the environment variables for the CUDA toolkit correctly is crucial for ensuring that your system can locate and utilise the CUDA libraries and tools.

you can ensure that the environment variables for the CUDA toolkit are correctly configured on your system. This setup is essential for developing and running CUDA applications, as it allows your system to locate the necessary CUDA libraries and tools.

Check PATH Variable:

- Right-click “This PC” or “My Computer” and select “Properties.”
- Click “Advanced system settings” and then “Environment Variables.”
- Ensure that the CUDA-related paths are correctly listed in the PATH variable (e.g., `C:\Program Files\NVIDIA GPU Computing Toolkit\CUDA\vX.X\bin`).

Re-add Missing Variables:

- If any paths are missing, add them manually and restart your computer.

In Conclusion , Fixing the error “The procedure entry point cuLaunchKernel_ptsz was not found in the DLL nvcuda.dll” primarily involves ensuring that your NVIDIA drivers and CUDA toolkit are correctly installed and compatible with each other. Updating your drivers, installing the correct version of the CUDA toolkit, performing clean installations, and verifying environment variables are key steps in resolving this issue.

By following these steps, you should be able to overcome this error and continue using your GPU-accelerated applications without further problems.

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