Uncharted 4 Avx2 Fix New · Recommended & Instant
Initially, only a CPU emulator or binary patching worked.
Now, thanks to community patches (from CS.RIN.RU or Reddit), there are modified EXE files or DLL wrappers that skip AVX2 checks or emulate the instructions.
⚠️ Important:
These fixes are unofficial and may:
✅ Most modern CPUs (Intel 6th Gen+ / AMD Ryzen 2000+ or newer) support AVX2.
❌ Old Intel Sandy Bridge, Ivy Bridge, Haswell (some early), and some AMD pre-Ryzen lack AVX2.
There are no guaranteed software workarounds to bypass the AVX2 requirement. The game fundamentally requires AVX2 instructions to run.
AVX2 (Advanced Vector Extensions 2) is a set of instructions for x86 processors, designed to handle more data per clock cycle than its predecessor, AVX. It's a part of Intel's Haswell and later processors and AMD's Excavator and later processors. AVX2 enhances performance in floating-point-intensive applications, such as 3D graphics games.
The primary way to play Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection on CPUs without support is to update your game to Patch 3 (v1.3)
or later, which officially added support for older processors.
If you are using a version of the game that does not have this official update, here are the available community workarounds: Official Fix (Recommended) Update to v1.3+
: Naughty Dog and Iron Galaxy released an official update that specifically addresses the AVX2 requirement, allowing the game to run on older CPUs that only support AVX (like Intel Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge). Steam/Epic Games
: Ensure your game is fully updated through the client to automatically receive this fix. Manual Community Fixes
If you are unable to use the official patch, users have successfully used the Intel Software Development Emulator (SDE)
to bypass the instruction check. Be aware that this method significantly impacts performance: Intel SDE Method : This tool "emulates" the missing AVX2 instructions. Download the latest Intel SDE Emulator
Create a shortcut to the emulator and point it to the game's executable ( Performance Note
: This method typically results in extremely low frame rates (often 7–15 FPS) and may cause crashes. Instruction Manual : A community-maintained Guide for Launch without AVX2 uncharted 4 avx2 fix new
on Steam provides step-by-step instructions for setting up the emulator shortcut. Performance & Requirements Minimum CPU
: While the fix allows the game to launch, the official minimum requirement is an (4th Gen) or higher to maintain playable performance. Compatibility
: These fixes generally do not work for AMD processors that lack the necessary instruction sets. Are you experiencing a specific error code or crash at startup that I can help you troubleshoot?
For players using older hardware, the initial launch of Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection on PC was frustrating due to a strict requirement for AVX2 instruction sets. This blocked owners of popular older CPUs—like the Intel Sandy Bridge (i7-2600K) or Ivy Bridge series—from even launching the game.
Fortunately, official and community solutions now allow these "legacy" processors to run the game effectively. The Official "New" Fix: Native Non-AVX2 Support
The most reliable "fix" is now built directly into the game. On November 16, 2022, developer Iron Galaxy released a major update (Patch 1.3.20812) that officially removed the AVX2 restriction.
Automatic Fallback: If the game detects a CPU without AVX2 support, it automatically switches to a fallback executable: u4-l.exe (for Uncharted 4) or tll-l.exe (for The Lost Legacy).
Performance Benefits: This method ensures that users with modern CPUs still benefit from AVX2 optimizations while older hardware can still run the game without external "hacks".
How to Apply: Simply update your game to the latest version via Steam or the Epic Games Store. Alternative Community Fix: Intel SDE Emulator
If you are running a version of the game that precedes the official patch, or if you encounter issues with the official fallback, the community developed a workaround using the Intel Software Development Emulator (SDE).
How it Works: The emulator intercepts AVX2 instructions and translates them into standard instructions your older CPU can understand. The Process: Download the Intel SDE tool. Create a desktop shortcut for sde.exe.
Modify the shortcut's "Target" properties to include -hsw -- [GameExecutableName].exe.
Warning: This method is an emulation layer and typically results in extremely poor performance, often described as a "20 FPS slideshow". Minimum System Requirements Refresher Initially, only a CPU emulator or binary patching worked
Even with the AVX2 requirement removed, the game remains demanding. To play at 720p/30 FPS on "Medium" settings, you generally need:
As of recent official updates, you may no longer need a third-party "fix" for AVX2. Naughty Dog released Patch 1.3 (v1.3.20812) specifically to add support for older CPUs that lack the AVX2 instruction set. 1. Update the Game (Recommended)
The most stable way to play on an older CPU is to update to the latest official version.
Official Patch: Ensure your game is updated to at least Version 1.3.20812 or later.
The "i" Executable: Look in your game's installation folder for an executable named u4-i.exe (or similar). This version of the executable is often flagged to run without strict AVX2 requirements and may offer a smoother experience on older hardware. 2. Manual Workarounds (If Official Patch Fails)
If you are still experiencing crashes on an older system, you can use a hardware emulator or specific compatibility tweaks: Intel SDE (Software Development Emulator): Download the Intel SDE (external link). Extract it into your game folder. Create a shortcut for sde.exe and edit its Properties.
In the Target field, add the following after the file path: -hsw -- "C:\Path\To\Game\u4.exe".Note: This emulates a Haswell-era CPU. Performance will likely be much lower (potentially 7–15 FPS). Compatibility Settings: Right-click the game's main executable (u4.exe). Select Properties > Compatibility.
Check Disable Fullscreen Optimizations and Run as Administrator. 3. Troubleshooting Performance
Shader Compilation: On older CPUs, shader compilation will take a significant amount of time. Let it reach 100% on the main menu before starting the game to prevent crashes and heavy stuttering.
Driver Updates: Ensure you are using the latest drivers for your GPU from NVIDIA or AMD.
Are you using a Steam or Epic Games version of the collection, and which CPU model are you currently running?
Uncharted Legacy of Thieves collection - startup crash [FIXED]
To fix the AVX2 requirement in Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection ✅ Most modern CPUs (Intel 6th Gen+ /
, you should first ensure your game is updated to the latest version, as an official patch now provides built-in support for older CPUs. If you are using an older or unofficial version, you can use the Intel Software Development Emulator (SDE) to bypass the check manually. Method 1: Official Patch (Recommended)
The easiest and most stable "fix" is to update your game. In November 2022, developers released a patch that officially removed the hard AVX2 restriction.
Update the Game: Ensure you are running version 1.3.20812 or higher.
Automatic Detection: The game now automatically detects if your CPU lacks AVX2 support.
Fallback Executables: If an older CPU is detected, the game will launch via a specific fallback file: u4-l.exe for Uncharted 4: A Thief's End. tll-l.exe for The Lost Legacy.
Verification: If the game still won't launch, verify your local files through Steam or GOG to ensure these new executables are present. Method 2: Intel SDE Manual Bypass (For Unpatched Versions)
If you are unable to use the official patch, you can emulate the missing AVX2 instructions using the Intel Software Development Emulator (SDE). Be warned: this method significantly reduces performance and may result in a "slideshow" experience.
Step 1: Download Intel SDEDownload the latest SDE External package from the official Intel website.
Step 2: Install FilesExtract the contents of the SDE folder into your game's root directory (where u4.exe is located). Step 3: Create a Custom Shortcut Right-click sde.exe and select Create Shortcut. Right-click the new shortcut and select Properties.
In the Target field, add the following at the very end of the existing text (after the closing quote): -hsw -- "u4.exe"Ensure there is a space before and after the -hsw -- part. Step 4: Launch the Game Right-click the shortcut and select Run as Administrator.
A black console window will open. Do not close it. The game may take 3–5 minutes to actually appear. Troubleshooting & Optimization
Here’s a helpful guide on the “Uncharted 4 AVX2 fix” — a common issue for players with older CPUs that don’t support AVX2 instructions.