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OSError: [WinError 126] on import with esimd_kernels.dll on new Intel Core Ultra 9 / Arc GPU #868

@avg-techie08

Description

@avg-techie08

Bug Description:
When trying to import intel_extension_for_pytorch, the program fails with an OSError: [WinError 126], indicating it cannot load esimd_kernels.dll or one of its dependencies. This occurs on a new laptop with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285H CPU and an Intel Arc 140T GPU.

Troubleshooting Steps Already Taken:
I have already tried all of the following solutions without success:

  • Clean reinstallation of torch and intel-extension-for-pytorch using the official index URL.
  • Updated all Intel drivers to the latest versions using the Intel Driver & Support Assistant.
  • Installed the latest Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable (both x64 and x86).
  • Manually added the GPU driver directory to the system PATH environment variable.
  • Performed full system shutdowns after making changes.
# All necessary imports at the beginning
import torch
import intel_extension_for_pytorch as ipex

print("Success!")
  File "D:\nl2sql_project\gpu_test.py", line 7, in <module>
    import intel_extension_for_pytorch as ipex
  File "D:\nl2sql_project\venv\Lib\site-packages\intel_extension_for_pytorch\__init__.py", line 118, in <module>
    raise err
OSError: [WinError 126] The specified module could not be found. Error loading "D:\nl2sql_project\venv\Lib\site-packages\intel_extension_for_pytorch\bin\esimd_kernels.dll" or one of its dependencies.

Versions

PyTorch CXX11 ABI: Yes
IPEX version:      N/A
IPEX commit:       N/A
Build type:        N/A

OS:                Microsoft Windows 11 Home Single Language (10.0.26100 64-bit)
GCC version:       N/A
Clang version:     N/A
IGC version:       N/A
CMake version:     N/A
Libc version:      N/A

Python version:    3.13.7 (tags/v3.13.7:bcee1c3, Aug 14 2025, 14:15:11) [MSC v.1944 64 bit (AMD64)] (64-bit runtime)
Python platform:   Windows-11-10.0.26100-SP0
Is XPU available:  N/A
DPCPP runtime:     N/A
MKL version:       N/A

GPU models and configuration onboard:
* Intel(R) Arc(TM) 140T GPU (16GB)

GPU models and configuration detected:
N/A

Driver version:
* 32.0.101.6913 (20250621000000.******+***)

CPU:
Description: Intel64 Family 6 Model 197 Stepping 2
Manufacturer: GenuineIntel
Name: Intel(R) Core(TM) Ultra 9 285H
NumberOfCores: 16
NumberOfEnabledCore: 16
NumberOfLogicalProcessors: 16
ThreadCount: 16

Versions of relevant libraries:
[pip] intel_extension_for_pytorch==2.8.10+xpu
[pip] numpy==2.3.3
[pip] torch==2.8.0
[pip] transformers==4.57.0

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