Solve "brew command not found" on Mac ZSH

Running into a “brew command not found” error on your Mac can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to install software using the Homebrew package manager. This common hiccup occurs for several reasons but fret not; the fix is simpler than you might think.

Our guide will help you resolve this error swiftly, ensuring you can continue installing and managing applications smoothly on your Mac.

How to Resolve the “brew command not found” Error

Table of Contents

Check If Homebrew is Installed

First, ensure Homebrew is installed on your Mac. Open your terminal and type:
which brew

If it returns a path, Homebrew is installed. If not, you’ll need to install it by following the instructions at the official Homebrew website.

Add Homebrew to Your Path

If Homebrew is installed but not found, you likely need to add it to your system’s PATH. Follow these steps:

Open Terminal.
Type nano ~/.zshrc to edit your Zsh configuration.
Add the following line:
export PATH="/usr/local/bin:$PATH"
Press CTRL+O, ENTER to save, and CTRL+X to exit nano.
Type source ~/.zshrc to refresh your terminal.

This should fix the issue. Try running brew again.

Reinstall Homebrew

If the above doesn’t work, you may need to reinstall Homebrew. To do this:

Remove Homebrew by typing:
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/uninstall.sh)"
Reinstall it by running:
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

Update and Diagnose

Sometimes, simply updating Homebrew and diagnosing any issues can resolve the error:

Update Homebrew with:
brew update
Diagnose issues with:
brew doctor
Follow any instructions provided by brew doctor to address issues.

Conclusion

Fixing the “brew command not found” error on your Mac is usually a quick fix, involving either adding Homebrew to your PATH, checking its installation, or reinstalling it. With these steps, you should be able to use Homebrew to manage software on your Mac without any interruptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does “brew command not found” mean?

– It means your system can’t find the Homebrew package manager, which is required to install and manage software on a Mac.

Q: How can I check if Homebrew is installed on my Mac?

– Open Terminal and type which brew. If it returns a path, Homebrew is installed.

Q: What should I do if Homebrew is installed but not working?

– Add Homebrew to your PATH using the steps outlined above, or try updating and running brew doctor.

Q: Can I use these instructions for both Intel and M1 Macs?

– Yes, these instructions apply to both types of Mac processors.

Q: What should I do if I can’t fix the problem myself?

– Consider seeking help from a more experienced user or the Homebrew community.

Also Read:

How to Fix the “brew command not found” Error on Mac with ZSH