Error: couldn't get default input device… when running on simulator

Question

WARNING:  40: ERROR: couldn't get default input device, ID = 0, err = 0!

I ran into this error message (/crash) as I tried using the iOS simulator (they all seem to give the same error)- running on an iPhone works just fine.

The problem is somehow related to the sound parts, as when they're commented out, it works. The code is nothing unusual, but I'm sure someone will ask to see it anyway:

_flipSound = [SKAction playSoundFileNamed:@"flip.wav" waitForCompletion:NO];
_successSound = [SKAction playSoundFileNamed:@"success2.wav" waitForCompletion:NO];
_failureSound = [SKAction playSoundFileNamed:@"failure2.wav" waitForCompletion:NO];

and in places where the sound is played, it looks eg like this:

if (self.blockType == 3){
    [self runAction:[SoundStore sharedStore].successSound];
} else {
    [self runAction:[SoundStore sharedStore].failureSound];
}

Answer 1

You may need to reset your System sound preferences by toggling "Play user interface sound effects" checkbox in System Preferences > Sound > Sound Effects

sound-not-working-in-iphone-simulator

or possibly adjusting your audio input device to something the simulator likes.

simulator-crashes-on-aqmeiomanger

I am having no problem playing back .wav files in the Simulator using Actions like yours above with the sound Actions as properties of the SKScene object. So alternately there could be an issue in your SoundStore object.

Answer 2

Looks like a sound input device (aka microphone) is not prensent on the simulator host (aka computer). Mac Minis & Pros are usually bereft of a microphone. Are you using one of them?

Try attaching a bluetooth/wired headset with microphone, and re-run the simulator. It should make the error go away.

Answer 3

Killing the simulator completely (pressing cmd+Q ) then re-running the app fixed it for me! Shrug.