Repair Macbook Audio Hardware Issue (Solved!)

Recently, I experienced a rather strange problem with my 5 year old Macbook Air: The audio stopped working completely. Even plugging a headphone into the earphone jack produced no sound. Going to the Sound Preferences produced the classic error of: No output devices found.

Upon googling online, I tried most, if not all, of the recommended fixes:

Reset NVRAM
Reset SMC
Update to latest iOS
Create a testing account on safe mode
Restarting the computer
Apple Hardware Test (Produced an error code of VFF001: There may be an issue with the audio hardware)
Plugging in and out of the earphone jack multiple times
Cleaning the earphone jack by blowing air/ vacuuming dirt
Calling the Apple Support hotline

None of the above helped, unfortunately. Hence, my situation was in the most serious category of Audio problems for MacBook. Online sources highly suspected that it was a hardware issue (and hence required a expensive repair).

First, I stumbled upon Solution 1:

Solution 1 to Macbook “No Output Device Found” Audio Problem

The first solution is to use a USB to Audio adapter such that you can direct the audio through your USB port to your earphones. It worked very well in my case. There should be many brands such as Sabrent (listed below), or Flujo, etc.

Sabrent USB External Stereo Sound Adapter for Windows and Mac. Plug and Play No Drivers Needed. (AU-MMSA)

For speakers, a similar solution is USB speakers, such as the one below.

Creative Pebble 2.0 USB-Powered Desktop Speakers with Far-Field Drivers and Passive Radiators for PCs and Laptops (Black)

Solution 2 to Macbook “No Sound” Problem

Afterwards, I encountered a miraculous Solution 2 to my Macbook Air audio problem. I booked a “Genius Bar” appointment at the official Apple Store. The support staff entered a mode called “Triage Mode” — which apparently only Apple staff can enter. She performed a diagnostic test that indicated that everything was working correctly. Upon shutting down and restarting, I heard the characteristic chime of Apple start up sound, something which I have not heard in weeks.

Thereafter, the audio problem miraculously solved itself, the “Internal Speakers” showed up once again as one of the output devices! The staff herself was surprised. This is quite miraculous as every source I read indicated that it was a hardware problem that could only be resolved by replacing the “logic board” or some other hardware component of the MacBook.

How did you solve (or did not solve) your MacBook audio problems? Feel free to post in the comments below!