Memtest86+ Adds Support for ARM64 Architecture
The diagnostic tool now enables memory error detection on platforms like the Qualcomm Snapdragon X and Raspberry Pi.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Computers
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Memtest86+ has officially added support for ARM64 architecture, enabling memory diagnostics on platforms including the Qualcomm Snapdragon X and Raspberry Pi 4 and 5. This update introduces enhanced reporting features and refined memory stress testing algorithms for modern computing hardware.
Why it matters
The addition of ARM64 support expands the utility of this diagnostic tool to a rapidly growing ecosystem of non-x86 processors. By enabling standardized memory testing on these architectures, the update improves reliability verification for enterprise and enthusiast hardware.
The updated tool now includes a Bus stress test specifically for DDR5 memory, which exercises the module's PMIC by rapidly switching between read and write bursts. It also features a Bit Fade test that saturates DRAM cells to isolate errors caused by charge leakage.
The players
Memtest86+
An open-source diagnostic utility that provides memory checking for various CPU architectures.
Qualcomm
A semiconductor designer known for its Snapdragon series of system-on-chip hardware.
The details
Memtest86+ uses UEFI—the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface that initializes hardware during boot—and ACPI—the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface—to interface with ARM64 systems. The software performs an SPD (Serial Presence Detect) integrity check to verify module data, falling back to SMBIOS data if the primary SPD is inaccessible. For automated testing, the utility includes a new boot parameter that generates machine-parsable logs, allowing integrators to systematically track memory stability across large fleets of hardware.
Timeline
October 15, 2026: The software update was published.
2022: Blacksmith-style research patterns were published.
The Tech Race
This release incorporates testing methodologies derived from 2022 research patterns to address modern memory vulnerabilities. It bridges the gap between traditional x86 diagnostic standards and the increasingly diverse ARM-based hardware landscape.
Users can now save diagnostic reports directly to a FAT32-formatted USB drive by pressing F6 during tests. This update is immediately available for users deploying ARM64 devices, including the Snapdragon X platform and Raspberry Pi 4 and 5.
The takeaway
This update standardizes memory validation for the ARM64 architecture, providing a necessary bridge for cross-platform hardware debugging. Users should monitor future iterations for expanded support of specific SoC power management interfaces.
Further reading
For broader technical analysis on hardware diagnostics, visit Computers.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TechSpot.
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