Symptoms
- No sound from speakers or headphones
- Volume icon shows muted or no devices found
- Sound worked before an update
- Sound works in one app but not another
Likely causes
- CommonWrong audio output device selectedThe system may be sending sound to HDMI or a disconnected device instead of speakers.
- CommonAudio service (PulseAudio/PipeWire) needs restartingThe sound server can occasionally hang or crash after sleep or an update.
- PossibleMuted at the system or hardware levelA mute key or software mute can be toggled accidentally.
- PossibleMissing or outdated audio driverSome sound chipsets need specific kernel modules that aren't loaded by default.
What to do
- Check the volume icon in the system tray and confirm it isn't muted and the right output device is selected.
- Click the sound settings and select the correct output device (built-in speakers vs HDMI vs headphones).
- Restart the audio service by running 'systemctl --user restart pipewire' or 'pulseaudio -k' (it restarts automatically).
- Reboot the whole system to rule out a stuck driver from sleep or an update.
- Run 'alsamixer' in a terminal to check for any channel muted at a lower level than the main volume control.
- Check for kernel or driver updates specific to your sound chipset if the problem persists after a reboot.
Tools and parts
- Terminal access
When to call a pro
If no combination of settings restores sound, a Linux technician can check driver compatibility for your specific hardware.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.