Zackriya-Solutions/meetily · error

Failed to get output config: {}

Error message

Failed to get output config: {}

What it means

Wrapped cpal error from Device::default_output_config() in the macOS branch of get_cpal_device (configuration.rs:148). On macOS, output devices are enumerated from the default host for later system-audio capture; when the named output device is found but its default output config cannot be queried, the ? operator aborts the entire lookup. The comment notes actual capture uses the cidre/Core Audio backend, so this query only serves capability matching.

Source

Thrown at frontend/src-tauri/src/audio/devices/configuration.rs:148

                            let default_config = device
                                .default_input_config()
                                .map_err(|e| anyhow!("Failed to get default input config: {}", e))?;
                            return Ok((device, default_config));
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
            DeviceType::Output => {
                #[cfg(target_os = "macos")]
                {
                    // Use default host for all macOS output devices
                    // Core Audio backend uses direct cidre API for system capture, not cpal
                    for device in host.output_devices()? {
                        if let Ok(name) = device.name() {
                            if name == audio_device.name {
                                let default_config = device
                                    .default_output_config()
                                    .map_err(|e| anyhow!("Failed to get output config: {}", e))?;
                                return Ok((device, default_config));
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }

                #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
                {
                    // For Linux, we use PulseAudio monitor sources for system audio
                    if let Ok(pulse_host) = cpal::host_from_id(cpal::HostId::Alsa) {
                        for device in pulse_host.input_devices()? {
                            if let Ok(name) = device.name() {
                                if name == audio_device.name {
                                    let default_config = device
                                        .default_input_config()
                                        .map_err(|e| anyhow!("Failed to get default input config: {}", e))?;
                                    return Ok((device, default_config));
                                }

View on GitHub (pinned to 0281737d87)

Solutions

1. Refresh the device list (list_audio_devices) and re-select the output device; stale names are the most common cause.
2. If using a virtual device for system capture, reinstall/verify it (BlackHole: check Audio MIDI Setup) and restart the app.
3. Confirm the display/speaker is actually connected and playing (test with a system sound).
4. Fall back to the default output device or start recording with system audio disabled (system_device_name: null).
5. Structurally: skip failing devices instead of aborting, same as the input branch.

Example fix

// before: config failure on macOS output device aborts lookup
let default_config = device.default_output_config()
    .map_err(|e| anyhow!("Failed to get output config: {}", e))?;

// after: log and continue enumerating remaining output devices
match device.default_output_config() {
    Ok(cfg) => return Ok((device, cfg)),
    Err(e) => { warn!("Skipping output device '{}': {}", name, e); continue; }
}

// Verify the output device exists right before capture
let listed = list_audio_devices()?;
if !listed.iter().any(|d| d.name == target_name && d.device_type == DeviceType::Output) {
    // stale selection: re-pick or record mic-only
}

// Degrade to mic-only recording when the system-audio lookup fails
match get_cpal_device(&system_dev) {
    Ok(found) => start_with_system_audio(found),
    Err(e) if e.to_string().starts_with("Failed to get output config") => {
        warn!("System audio device unavailable: {}", e);
        start_mic_only() // system_device_name: None path
    }
    Err(e) => Err(e),
}

When it happens

Trigger: macOS only, DeviceType::Output: a device matches by name but default_output_config() fails - device unplugged (HDMI/USB DAC disconnected), a virtual driver (BlackHole/Loopback) uninstalled or misconfigured since it was listed, an AirPlay device vanishing when the target disconnected, or a Bluetooth speaker that dropped its connection.

Common situations: User picks BlackHole 2ch for system audio then removes the BlackHole driver without refreshing the list; selecting an HDMI/DisplayPort output that disappears when the display sleeps or switches inputs; stale cached device list from a previous session; Bluetooth speaker power-off between selection and record start.

Related errors

• No default output device found
• Failed to get default input config: {}
• Device not found: {}
• No default input device found
• Unsupported sample format: {:?}

AI-assisted analysis of Zackriya-Solutions/meetily@0281737d87 (2026-08-16). Data as JSON: /api/errors/96e3bbaf872e959f. Report an issue: GitHub.