Tech News Today
  • Hardware
    • Motherboards
    • CPUs
    • Graphic Cards
    • RAM
    • SSDs
    • Computer Cases
    • Monitors
    • Peripherals
    • Power Supply Unit
    • PC Builds
    • Computer Tips
  • Software
  • Operating System
    • Windows
    • Mac
  • Gaming
  • Mobile
  • Console
  • More
    • Internet
    • Networking
    • Security
    • Buyer’s Guide
    • Gadgets
    • Laptops
    • Reviews
    • How To
    • News
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Tech News Today
  • Hardware
    • Motherboards
    • CPUs
    • Graphic Cards
    • RAM
    • SSDs
    • Computer Cases
    • Monitors
    • Peripherals
    • Power Supply Unit
    • PC Builds
    • Computer Tips
  • Software
  • Operating System
    • Windows
    • Mac
  • Gaming
  • Mobile
  • Console
  • More
    • Internet
    • Networking
    • Security
    • Buyer’s Guide
    • Gadgets
    • Laptops
    • Reviews
    • How To
    • News
Tech News Today
Home»Mac»How To Fix Bad CPU Type In Executable

How To Fix Bad CPU Type In Executable

AnupBy AnupJune 15, 2022
bad cpu type in executable

MacOS Catalina (v10.15) and newer versions only support 64-bit applications. Additionally, Apple has recently transitioned Macs from Intel’s x86-64 processors to ARM64 architecture.

So, if you’re on an older Mac sporting an Intel chip or you’re trying to run a program coded for the wrong architecture, you’ll face the Bad CPU Type in Executable error.

You can usually solve this error by using the 64-bit version of the program and additionally installing Rosetta if necessary. We’ve detailed these and more solutions in the article below.

Table of Contents

  • What causes the Bad CPU Type in Executable Error?
  • How to Fix Bad CPU Type in Executable
    • Use 64-bit Build
    • Set Zsh as Default Shell
    • Install Rosetta 2
    • Update macOS

What causes the Bad CPU Type in Executable Error?

As stated, 32-bit programs are no longer supported on Macs, starting with macOS Catalina. In addition to this, attempting to run programs designed for Intel processors leads to incompatibility in newer ARM64-based Macs which can also cause this error.

How to Fix Bad CPU Type in Executable

Since 32-bit code or incompatible architecture is no longer acceptable on v10.15 and later, developers should update the source accordingly. As a consumer, you can try some of the solutions we’ve listed below.

Use 64-bit Build

Whether it’s an application or a CLI tool that you’re encountering this error on, the easiest way to resolve it is to use a version compiled for ARM64 architecture.

Sometimes, even after installing the 64-bit version of the program, you may still face this error. In such cases, there are likely additional issues that you can resolve with the solutions listed below.

Set Zsh as Default Shell

Zsh (Z shell) is supposed to be the default login and interactive shell in macOS Catalina and later versions. But sometimes, this may not be the case due to unintentional changes, which can ultimately lead to issues like the Bad CPU Type in Executable error. So, you can set Zsh as the default shell with the following steps:

  1. Click on the Apple Menu and select System Preferences > Users & Groups.
    system-preferences-users-and-groups
  2. Press the lock and input your account credentials.
  3. From the user list on the left pane, control-click your user name and select Advanced Options.
  4. Select Zsh from the Login shell menu and press OK to apply the changes.
    mac-login-shell-users-groups

Install Rosetta 2

You may be aware of the Mac transition to Apple silicon that Tim Cook announced in June 2020. Macs used Intel processors for almost 15 years before recently switching to Apple-designed ARM64 CPUs. Many programs designed to run on Intel processors haven’t yet been revised for the new silicon chips.

Apple understands this, which is why Rosetta, a dynamic binary translator, was reintroduced as Rosetta 2 in macOS Big Sur. The first time you try to run an incompatible program, you will automatically be prompted to install Rosetta 2. Here, you can press Install and input your account credentials to fix the issue. But this is via the GUI.

macos-big-sur-software-update-rosetta-alert

The Terminal doesn’t automatically detect that Rosetta is missing. As such, if you attempt to execute an incompatible program via the terminal, you’ll encounter the Bad CPU Type in Executable error. You can resolve such issues by manually installing Rosetta 2 with the following steps:

  1. Press Command + Spacebar to bring up the spotlight, type terminal, and press Enter.
  2. Execute the following command in the terminal:
    softwareupdate – install-rosetta
    softwareupdate-install-rosetta
  3. Type a and press Enter to accept the license agreement.
  4. You should see a message stating Install of Rosetta 2 finished successfully. As Rosetta works automatically in the background, you should be able to run previously incompatible programs without any issues now.
    install-of-rosetta-2-finished-succesfully

Update macOS

In macOS versions earlier than Monterey 12.1, some binaries were still compiled for x86 processors. But the non-ARM binaries have been updated in the newer versions. So if you’re on an older macOS version, now may be a good time to update your Mac. Here are the steps to do so:

  1. Click on the Apple Menu from the top left corner.
  2. Select System Preferences > Software Update > Upgrade / Update Now.
    Mac os update
  3. Install the latest available update and restart your Mac.
fix
Anup

Anup has been tinkering with PCs for over 15 years. At Tech News Today, he mainly covers Windows systems, networking, and hardware related issues.

Related Posts

how-to-change-keyboard-on-mac

How to Change Keyboard to Another Language on Mac

July 12, 2022
Black screen on MacBook 1

9 Methods to Fix Black Screen on Macbook

July 12, 2022
how-to-turn-on-keyboard-light-on-macbook-pro

How to Turn on Keyboard Light on Macbook

July 12, 2022
how-to-shut-down-mac-with-keyboard

How to Shut Down Mac With Keyboard

July 6, 2022
universal-control-not-working

8 Ways to Fix Universal Control Not Working

July 4, 2022
macbook-kernel_task-high-cpu

Macbook kernel_task Have High CPU? Here’s How to Fix It

July 2, 2022
Add A Comment

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Latest Posts
platinum-vs-gold-power-supply

Platinum Vs Gold Power Supply – Which One Is Better For You?

July 14, 2022
best sci fi games

30 Best Sci-fi Games of All Time

July 14, 2022
how-to-transfer-contacts-from-iphone-to-ipad

How to Transfer Contacts from iPhone to iPad

July 14, 2022
You may also like
how to undervolt gpu

How To Safely Undervolt Your GPU?

July 14, 2022
how-to-make-a-notification-sound

How to Make and Set a Custom Notification Sound on Mobile?

July 14, 2022
how-to-do-blend-on-spotify

How to Do Blend on Spotify?

July 14, 2022
Recommended
Cookie Clicker Garden Guide

Cookie Clicker Garden Guide to Unlocking Every Seed

September 26, 2021
monitor no signal

Computer Turns On But Monitor Says No Signal (9 Ways To Fix)

October 25, 2021
Facebook Twitter Pinterest
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Affiliate Disclosure
© 2022 TechNewsToday.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.