Techniques for system recovery using a failover processor are disclosed. A first processor, with a first instruction set, is configured to execute operations of a first type; and a second processor, with a second instruction set different from the first instruction set, is configured to execute operations of a second type. A determination is made that the second processor has failed to execute at least one operation of the second type within a particular period of time. Responsive to determining that the second processor has failed to execute at least one operation of the second type within the particular period of time, the first processor is configured to execute both the operations of the first type and the operations of the second type.