Raspberry Pi updates to 64bit kernel and python-codecs plugin stops working

[koush]

python-codecs will fail to install/load on pi after a full update is performed. This message will be visible in the console log:

Python machine vs architecture mismatch detected. Plugin installation may fail.

[koush]

Fix 1: Roll Back Kernel to 32bit

This can be fixed by editing /boot/config.txt on the pi. Modify the [pi4] section as follows to add (or change) arm_64bit=0:

Using: nano /boot/config.txt

[pi4]
arm_64bit=0

Fix 2: Flash 64 bit Raspbian OS

Starting with a 64 bit image will not have this issue, as the whole platform will then be 64bit, and not mixed mode.

[jlg89]

I would assume that if the 64-bit kernel is active, you could uninstall 32-bit python and then install the 64-bit version. Would that be another fix, or are there additional gotchas?

[koush]

Seems very unlikely to work without issue. Whole system is a mess.