Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-03

How to Fix: How to fix: "HAX is not working and emulator runs in emulation mode"

HAXM installation and AVD performance issues on Mac OS X 10.9.1.

Quick Answer: Check if HAXM is installed correctly, update to latest version, and ensure CPU selection in AVD settings.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 💡 Why You Are Getting This Error
  2. 🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps
  3. 🎯 Final Words

The 'HAX is not working and emulator runs in emulation mode' error message occurs when the Intel x86 Emulator Accelerator (HAXM) is not installed or running properly, causing Android emulators to run in emulation mode instead of using hardware acceleration. This issue primarily affects users running macOS 10.9.x with Android SDK installed.

This error can be frustrating as it may impact emulator performance and overall user experience. Fortunately, this issue can be resolved by installing and configuring HAXM correctly.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The primary reason for this error is the absence or malfunction of HAXM on the system. HAXM is a critical component that enables hardware acceleration in Android emulators.
  • An alternative cause could be an incorrect CPU architecture set in the AVD, which may lead to emulation mode being triggered instead of hardware acceleration.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Installing and Configuring HAXM

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Download and install HAXM from the official Intel website. Follow the installation instructions provided by Intel.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: After installing HAXM, restart the Android Studio and open the AVD manager. Ensure that the CPU architecture set in the AVD is 'Intel Atom (x86)' or a compatible variant.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: Verify that HAXM is enabled for the selected AVD by checking the 'HAXM' checkbox in the AVD settings.

Alternative Solution: Update Android SDK Tools

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Open the Android SDK Manager and update the 'Tools' component to the latest version (e.g., Rev 22.3).

🎯 Final Words

After following these steps, the 'HAX is not working and emulator runs in emulation mode' error should be resolved, and the AVD performance should improve. If you encounter any further issues, consider reinstalling HAXM or seeking additional assistance from the Android community or Intel support.

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