Fix cudaErrorIllegalInstruction: Invalid GPU Instruction

Overview

cudaErrorIllegalInstruction indicates the GPU encountered an invalid instruction, often from memory corruption or architecture mismatch.

Error Messages

CUDA error: illegal instruction
cudaErrorIllegalInstruction

Common Causes

• •Binary compiled for wrong architecture
• •Memory corruption
• •Stack overflow
• •Undefined behavior

Solutions

nvcc --gpu-architecture=sm_86 kernel.cu  # Match your GPU

compute-sanitizer --tool memcheck ./your_app

Prevention Tips

• ✓Compile for correct architecture
• ✓Use compute-sanitizer regularly
• ✓Check for undefined behavior

Code Examples

Before (Problematic)

Architecture mismatch.

// Compiled for sm_50, running on sm_86

After (Fixed)

Correct architecture.

nvcc -arch=sm_86 kernel.cu

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Errors

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