Static friction can cause rolling without doing work
The mistake
Assuming any friction force always removes mechanical energy.
Why it feels right
Friction is usually introduced as dissipative.
How to catch it
You subtract friction work for a rigid body rolling without slipping on a fixed surface.
The first principle
For ideal rolling without slipping on a fixed surface, the contact point is instantaneously at rest, so static friction does no work. It can redistribute energy between translation and rotation.
A solid sphere rolls down a rough incline without slipping. Does static friction dissipate energy?
Common wrong move
Yes, because friction acts.
Correct
No ideal dissipation; static friction provides torque while doing zero work at the contact.
Make a fresh prediction before referring to the worked example.