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macOS app crashes on launch when no audio input device connected (VoiceWakeRuntime) #15740

@claudiaandromeda

Description

@claudiaandromeda

Version

  • App: 2026.2.12 (build 9500)
  • OS: macOS 26.2 (25C56), Apple Silicon (Mac16,11 — Mac mini M4 Pro)

Description

The macOS app crashes immediately on launch (~0.23s after procLaunch) when no audio input device (e.g. AirPods, headset, external mic) is connected. The Mac mini M4 Pro has no built-in microphone.

Connecting AirPods before launching resolves the issue. The app should gracefully disable voice wake when no audio input is available, not abort.

Crash Stack

EXC_CRASH (SIGABRT) — abort() called

AVAudioEngineImpl::InstallTapOnNode() → NSException (+[NSException raise:format:])
-[AVAudioNode installTapOnBus:bufferSize:format:block:]
VoiceWakeRuntime.start(with:)
VoiceWakeRuntime.refresh(state:)
closure #2 in AppState.init(preview:)

The uncaught ObjC exception from AVAudioEngine propagates through objc_exception_throw__cxa_throw__cxxabiv1::failed_throwstd::__terminateabort().

Expected Behaviour

App should launch normally without an audio device, disabling voice wake gracefully until a device becomes available (e.g. observing AVAudioSession.routeChangeNotification).

Workaround

Connect an audio input device before launching.

Crash Reports

6 consecutive crash reports in ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/OpenClaw-2026-02-13-*.ips — all identical stack.

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