Continuing Core Audio Driver missing

Hi Vijay Benegal, thanks for reaching out, sorry to hear there is some trouble present.  

The “CoreAudio driver went missing” error message is still an on-going issue and might be encountered with the latest SoundID Reference version 5.9.1 - we are looking into it. Just in case anybody else is seeing this error, here is our support guide for more details and tips to try: [MAC] "CoreAudio driver went missing" error.

As you have mentioned you are running macOS Catalina, I would really encourage you to check whether you are not experiencing a high CPU utilization issue which might be causing some additional problems with the performance of the app, for more details, see here: [MAC] CoreAudio and SonarworksASPProxy high CPU (on macOS 10.14 & 10.15). If this does not seem to be a problem present on your device, at least we can rule it out as the potentially underlying culprit.

Could you also please let us know what is the audio device/interface (make and model) you are using? When does the error seem to appear? Does restarting CoreAudio as prompted by the message make no difference?

Thanks!

Hi Zane, thanks for responding.

High CPU utilization doesn't seem to be the issue.

I'm using RME Audio Babyface Pro FS. The problem occurs randomly unfortunately. Restarting Core Audio does work but the error appears again without warning. Sometimes while I'm in the middle of a mix and then Protools hangs

This happens for me all the time as well.

Audio stops. I need to stop and start soundid for it to start working. 

I havent reported it as I don't have a way to 100% reproduce it making it hard to both report and investigate.

But if you want me to collect any logs or data when the issue is appearing just let me know.

I am on Sonoma 14.2.1 M2 Macbook Pro.

/K

Hi, thank you for your comments, it is appreciated. 

I will open up support requests with both of you Vijay Benegal and Kenneth Albinsson, so our team can gather some additional details. 

It might be worth observing whether the error or the sound cutting out issue occurs after some specific actions like switching on/off a device connected to the computer, after computer sleep or idle time, changing some settings, after launching a DAW or another audio software, etc. This could help us notice any potential triggers if there are any. Thanks!

I have the same problem, imposible to use standlone version. In Mac OS Sonoma 14.4, M1 Pro. Version 5.9.2

Hi David, thanks for reaching out, sorry to hear about this!

I recommend checking out the suggestions for resolving this error in our guide here: [MAC] "CoreAudio driver went missing" error. There are quite a few things to try and we suggest performing them all. 

Same issue as David… visited the kb and none ofthat works. even running the sudo command in terminal. i believe it worked the first time i ran it, but no longer works. even multiple restarts. extremely frustrating as i spent $260 on this bundle less than a month ago. smh 

Apollo integration had me believe this was resolved but alas they took another $50 for this ap that no longer works properly.  Performed “clean install” and Sonoma 14.5, MBP 2019 i9 64GB, 7TB with Apollo X.  Can't get core audio to see it and i have several other virtuals that do show…just not this one.  

Unfortunately I'm having the same issue for multiple versions of soundreference across 2 different systems. Performed several clean re-installs to no avail…

I upgraded to Apollo X as well and paid extra for the integration but it keeps failing. What is happening? Sonarworks please fix this!

Ok, I just mentioned alot of trouble.

OFC a simple restart fixed it after having installed the app. 

This keeps happening to me after every restart. I've tried many (all?) of the steps in the main support article a while ago and nothing fixed it. I'm using UAD Apollos (2nd gen).

Will this ever be addressed? I've wasted hours because of this error and troubleshooting. 

You need to fix this problem right away or give my money back ! 

Same here and I will spare you the details. You got the ticket work it as well as others in line ahead of us.  Just need it resolved ASAP or as most others are pointing out this was a bad investment and waste of time. Meters are running clients don't have time wait for software fixes. UAD Apollo x8 and 8 on M1 Mac Studio macOS Sonoma 14.8.3 and please refrain from giving the text book update your macOS as the current two versions above 14 are deeply flawed and completely render our system inoperative and break ALS. Hopefully you guys can run this down in short order. The whole value prop was delaying run treatment. Nothing a physics. Walls don't come down unless deconstructed. Software is volatile and therein lies the harsh realities of our new world order. We're just trying to put some stuff between speakers and move the room. Show us some love. We clearly believed you had a viable product.  

Another one experiencing this in Feb 2026. What's the plan guys?

Me and Gemini finally solved this problem! :)

I was stuck with these two errors for a while:

1. "Core Audio driver went missing - SoundID Reference is unable to contact the Audio driver..." 2. "Failed to query info"I’ve been pulling my hair out with this, but I finally fixed the Sonarworks issues on my new setup. If you're getting "Failed to query info" or "Core Audio went missing" errors with SoundID Reference—especially on the new M4 Pro Mac Mini or other Apple Silicon chips—it usually means the HAL plug-in driver is stuck or corrupted.

Even if you’ve tried entering your password and it didn’t work, follow these steps for a "deep clean" and fresh install:

Step 1: Backup your Calibration Profiles

Don't lose your measurements!

1. Open Finder.
2. Press Cmd+Shift+G (Go to Folder) and paste: ~/Library/Sonarworks/SoundID Reference/Sonarworks Projects
   • (For Reference 4 users: ~/Library/Sonarworks/Reference 4/Calibration Profiles)
3. Copy everything inside to a folder on your Desktop named "Sonarworks Backup".

Step 2: Deep Uninstall (Removing the junk)

Standard uninstallation isn't enough. We need to clear the system-level drivers:

1. Drag SoundID Reference from your Applications folder to the Trash.
2. Go to these paths via Finder (Cmd+Shift+G) and delete any files/folders containing "Sonarworks":
   • /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/HAL (Crucial: ensure this is empty).
   • /Library/LaunchAgents (Delete com.sonarworks... files).
   • /Library/LaunchDaemons (Delete com.sonarworks... files).
   • ~/Library/Application Support/Sonarworks (Delete the whole folder).

Step 3: Clean Install for Apple Silicon (M4 Pro)

1. Download the latest installer from the Sonarworks website.
2. Important: After installation, do not open the app yet.
3. Go to System Settings > General > Login Items.
4. Under "Allow in the Background," make sure Sonarworks is toggled ON.
5. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security. Scroll down; if you see a message saying "System software was blocked," click "Allow Anyway."

Step 4: Restore your Profiles

Once the app is running smoothly:

1. Move your backed-up files from the Desktop back to: ~/Library/Sonarworks/SoundID Reference/Sonarworks Projects

Hope this saves someone else the hours of troubleshooting I went through!