[Solved] How To Fix Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Stuck on Retrieving Local Data Error?

James Cameron’s Avatar world, with its stunning landscapes and unique creatures, has captivated millions. The release of Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora had gamers excited to dive into the magic, but some got stuck on the ‘Retrieving Local Data’ screen, causing frustration. Luckily, there are solutions to get past this hiccup and fully enjoy the Pandora experience.

How to Fix Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Stuck on ‘Retrieving Local Data’ Error

Fix 1. Verify Game Files

Verifying the game files should always be the first troubleshooting step when encountering launch errors. The process validates all game data and replaces any corrupted or missing files. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Step 1: Launch the Ubisoft Connect desktop app and ensure you are logged in.
• Step 2: From the left sidebar, click on the ‘Games’ tab. This will display all Ubisoft games associated with your account.
• Step 3: Search for ‘Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora’ and click on the game tile. This will open the game’s dashboard.
• Step 4: On the dashboard, click on the cogwheel icon right below the colorful Pandora backdrop to access game settings.
• Step 5: From the settings window, select the ‘Verify Files’ option listed under the General tab.
• Step 6: The Ubisoft Connect app will now scan all game files and replace any corrupted or missing ones. Wait patiently for the process to finish.

Step 7: Once verified, try launching the game again to see if the local data error persists.

With any luck, verifying the files would have fixed any corrupt game data causing the bothersome loading issue. If not, try the following solutions.

Fix 2. Reinstall Game to SSD

As massive open-world titles become more complex, storage drives can struggle to stream all the data fast enough. Shifting the game files from a HDD to a faster SSD can thus boost performance.

• Step 1: Use Windows Explorer or any file management utility to locate the ‘Avatar – Frontiers of Pandora’ folder on your HDD. This is usually in ‘Documents\Ubisoft\Avatar’ or a similar location.
• Step 2: Copy the entire game folder onto the target SSD using the copy-paste method. Any SSD with enough spare space will do.
• Step 3: Launch Ubisoft Connect desktop app and uninstall Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. This will delete the version on the HDD.
• Step 4: Reinstall Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora through Ubisoft Connect app. When prompted for install location, select the SSD drive now housing the game files.
• Step 5: Ubisoft Connect will discover the existing files and perform a quick validation instead of full 80GB+ download.
• Step 6: Try launching the game after the install process finishes. The SSD may provide the speed boost needed to get past the pesky loading issue.

Fix 3. Adjust BIOS Settings

While an obscure solution, some AMD users facing the local data error reported success after disabling DOCP in BIOS settings. DOCP is AMD’s equivalent of Intel XMP and enables higher RAM speeds. Surprisingly, disabling it resolved game loading issues for a few users. It’s worth a shot before trying more complex fixes.

• Step 1: Restart your system and press Del, F1, F2 or other designated key during boot up to enter BIOS settings.
• Step 2: Navigate to the DOCP or memory settings tab. Seth options to default instead of DOCP/XMP profiles.
• Step 3: Save changes and exit BIOS. Let the system boot as normal.
• Step 4: Check if Avatar launches without the irksome data retrieval error now that DOCP is disabled. Enable it again if issues persist.

Fix 4. Reinstall Epic Games Launcher

Some gamers face the ‘Retrieving Local Data’ error message because of conflicts with background apps, especially the Epic Games launcher. Uninstalling and reinstalling the launcher app apparently resolves this.

• Step 1: Backup the ‘Avatar – Frontiers of Pandora’ game folder to another location for safekeeping.
• Step 2: Uninstall Avatar through Ubisoft Connect as well as the Epic Games launcher using Windows Settings or control panel.
• Step 3: Reinstall Epic Games launcher through the official website. IMPORTANT – Before launching, change the default install location to a drive other than the one housing Avatar game files.
• Step 4: Once Epic Games launcher setup completes, install Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora through Ubisoft Connect app. When prompted, select the original game install location (the backup folder).
• Step 5: Ubisoft Connect will skip the full download and add the game back to your library quickly.
• Step 6: Try launching Avatar now and cross your fingers that the launcher conflict has been resolved.

Fix 5. Run Game as Administrator

Access permission issues can also throw a wrench during game launch processes. Running Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora as an admin overrides such issues.

• Step 1: Use Windows search to locate the Avatar game shortcut on your desktop or start menu.
• Step 2: Right-click on the game shortcut and select ‘Run as administrator’ from the context menu.
• Step 3: When prompted by the UAC prompt, click Yes to grant admin access.
• Step 4: The game will now launch with full access permissions, bypassing any access issues that may have caused the ‘Retrieving local data’ bug.

Fix 6. Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated or glitched graphics card drivers can also prevent games from retrieving or loading necessary visual assets and data modules. Keeping them updated is key.

• Step 1: Determine your dedicated GPU model -AMD, Nvidia or Intel and visit the official website to download the latest driver package.
• Step 2: Use DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) to wipe existing graphics drivers in safe mode to erase any glitches. Reboot once done.
• Step 3: Execute the new graphics driver setup package downloaded in step 1. Reboot again after install completes.
• Step 4: Now launch Avatar to check if updated graphics drivers have resolved the game data issue. Also toggle graphics settings like HDR on/off to see if that helps.

Conclusion

Fixing ‘Retrieving local data’ error in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora can be annoying, but don’t worry! Follow these steps: check game files on Ubisoft Connect, move the game to a faster SSD, tweak BIOS settings, reinstall conflicting apps, run the game as an admin, and update graphics drivers. If issues persist, contact Ubisoft support. Enjoy your journey into Pandora!

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