ERROR_IMAGE_MACHINE_TYPE_MISMATCH: meaning and diagnosis

Status / error code:		Category:

Constant name:
Source:		Operating System:
Description: ERROR_IMAGE_MACHINE_TYPE_MISMATCH {Machine Type Mismatch} The image file %hs is valid, but is for a machine type other than the current machine. Select OK.

Previous	Next
ERROR_FT_WRITE_RECOVERY	ERROR_RECEIVE_PARTIAL

ERROR_IMAGE_MACHINE_TYPE_MISMATCH

What ERROR_IMAGE_MACHINE_TYPE_MISMATCH means

A valid executable image targets a processor architecture different from the current process or machine. In practical terms, this status belongs to binary architecture compatibility: the loader encounters an x86, x64, ARM, or ARM64 module that does not match the loading context.

Typical causes

A 64-bit process attempts to load a 32-bit DLL or the reverse
Deployment selected the wrong architecture package
An out-of-process component was expected but an in-process DLL was supplied

How to investigate

Inspect the PE machine type of both process and module
Confirm search-path resolution did not select a same-named DLL from another directory
Check installer architecture detection and package selection

Developer guidance

The durable fix is architectural alignment, not repeated loading. Use an out-of-process bridge only when cross-architecture integration is intentionally designed.

References

Microsoft: System error codes 500–999

Looking for a different code? Search another status or error code.