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Fixing Audio Output Issue in Ubuntu 22.04 (Dummy Audio)

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After upgrading to Ubuntu 22.04, you may encounter an issue with your audio output. Instead of displaying your regular audio options, the system only shows “Dummy Output” and fails the audio test. This article provides a detailed guide on how to fix this issue.

Understanding the Issue

The “Dummy Output” issue is a common problem that users face after upgrading to a new version of Ubuntu. This issue arises due to the system’s inability to recognize the audio hardware, resulting in no sound output. It’s crucial to note that this issue is not related to the hardware itself but rather the software’s interaction with the hardware.

Solution 1: Using PipeWire

PipeWire is a server for handling audio and video streams on Linux. It serves as a drop-in replacement for PulseAudio and can solve the “Dummy Output” issue.

  1. Open a terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T and run the following commands:
sudo touch /usr/share/pipewire/media-session.d/with-pulseaudio
systemctl --user restart pipewire-session-manager

The sudo touch command creates a new file in the specified directory. The systemctl --user restart command restarts the PipeWire session manager.

Solution 2: Using snd_hda_intel

The snd_hda_intel module is a sound driver for Intel HD Audio. If your hardware uses this module, you can fix the issue by modifying the ALSA configuration file.

  1. Kill PulseAudio by running pulseaudio -k in the terminal.
  2. Check if your hardware uses snd_hda_intel by running lsmod | grep snd_hda_intel.
  3. If it does, run the following command:
echo "options snd-hda-intel model=generic" | sudo tee -a /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf

This command appends the line options snd-hda-intel model=generic to the ALSA configuration file. The model=generic option forces the driver to use a generic mode, which can solve the “Dummy Output” issue.

  1. Restart your laptop.

Solution 3: Restarting PulseAudio

Sometimes, simply restarting PulseAudio can fix the issue.

  1. Run both pulseaudio --kill and pulseaudio --start in the terminal.
  2. Restart any applications that need to pick up the new PulseAudio, such as VLC.

The pulseaudio --kill command stops the PulseAudio service, and the pulseaudio --start command starts it again.

Solution 4: Updating PipeWire

If the issue persists, you may need to update PipeWire.

  1. Update the preinstalled PipeWire to the PPA version by following the installation instructions at https://linuxconfig.org/how-to-install-pipewire-on-ubuntu-linux.
  2. If the issue persists, check if the /run/user/1000 folder is owned by root. If it is, remove the folder and reboot the system.

Solution 5: Editing the GRUB Configuration File

The GRUB configuration file can be modified to solve the “Dummy Output” issue.

  1. Edit the /etc/default/grub file using the command sudo nano /etc/default/grub.
  2. Find the line GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="" and add snd_hda_intel.dmic_detect=0 at the end.
  3. Save the file by pressing Ctrl+X, then “y” for yes, and Enter.
  4. Run sudo update-grub in the terminal.
  5. Reboot your system.

The snd_hda_intel.dmic_detect=0 option disables the digital microphone (DMIC) detection for the snd_hda_intel driver, which can solve the “Dummy Output” issue.

Conclusion

The “Dummy Output” issue in Ubuntu 22.04 can be frustrating, but it’s usually not difficult to solve. The solutions provided in this article have worked for many users, but there’s no guarantee they will work for everyone. If you’re still experiencing problems, consider seeking help from the Ubuntu community or a professional.

How do I open a terminal in Ubuntu 22.04?

To open a terminal in Ubuntu 22.04, you can press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard. This keyboard shortcut will open a new terminal window.

What is PipeWire?

PipeWire is a server for handling audio and video streams on Linux. It can serve as a replacement for PulseAudio and helps in resolving the "Dummy Output" issue in Ubuntu 22.04.

How do I check if my hardware uses snd_hda_intel?

To check if your hardware uses snd_hda_intel, you can open a terminal and run the command lsmod | grep snd_hda_intel. If the command returns any output, it means that your hardware uses the snd_hda_intel module.

How do I edit the GRUB configuration file?

You can edit the GRUB configuration file by opening a terminal and running the command sudo nano /etc/default/grub. This will open the file in the nano text editor. Make the necessary changes, save the file, and then run sudo update-grub to apply the changes.

How do I restart PulseAudio?

To restart PulseAudio, you can open a terminal and run the commands pulseaudio --kill followed by pulseaudio --start. The first command stops the PulseAudio service, and the second command starts it again.

How do I update PipeWire?

To update PipeWire, you can follow the installation instructions provided at https://linuxconfig.org/how-to-install-pipewire-on-ubuntu-linux. The instructions will guide you on how to update the preinstalled PipeWire to the PPA version.

How do I remove the /run/user/1000 folder?

To remove the /run/user/1000 folder, you can open a terminal and run the command sudo rm -r /run/user/1000. This command will remove the folder and its contents. Please exercise caution when using the rm command, as it permanently deletes files or directories.

How do I edit the ALSA configuration file?

To edit the ALSA configuration file, you can open a terminal and run the command sudo nano /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf. This will open the file in the nano text editor. Make the necessary changes, save the file, and then restart your laptop to apply the changes.

How do I save a file in nano text editor?

To save a file in nano text editor, you can press Ctrl+X on your keyboard. This will prompt you to save the modified buffer. Press "y" for yes, and then press Enter to confirm the filename.

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