Does anyone understand pavucontrol?

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I just did something I rarely attempt… tried to play a video stream in firefox. No problem getiing the stream to play,
but
no volume!
OK, so I launched the PulseAudio Volume Control GUI, made sure the output was directed to my Displayport screen speakers, and nothing!
After half an hour of fiddling with meaningless buttons… eg a button that is just a tick or a lock symbol, with no hover explanations, i fluke it, and got sound.

The documentation is useless. Here is their feeble attempt at documentation

Documentation

There is not much to say. Just run pavucontrol and see for yourself.

Wow, that is not really helpful.

Does anyone either understand this beast , or know of some pictorial documents that explain its GUI to mere humans.?

I dont mean video tutorials. I am too old and slow to absorb info from a video. I want real printable help.

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@nevj
All I do is click on the icon, usually at the at the top over toward the right, and turn the volume up!!!
I will say that pavu and playing videos on Firefox, is very dependent on ffmpeg, so make sure you have the right codecs.

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Yep, but I would love to know what it is doing when I click.
That is like using a CLI command and not knowing what it does!.. it violates my sense of control

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Hi Neville, :wave:

that´s quite some problem you´re currently encountering.
I myself have no knowledge regarding pavucotrol whatsoever, so I turned to ChatGPT for some help. I hope you don´t mind. :blush:

O.K., here are some results:

I totally get the frustration—pavucontrol (PulseAudio Volume Control) can be a bit cryptic, especially without proper tooltips.

Let’s break this down into two parts:

:one: Understanding the GUI & Troubleshooting Sound Issues
:two: Finding (or Creating) Printable Documentation

1. Understanding pavucontrol’s GUI & Fixing Sound Issues

Here’s a quick rundown of the pavucontrol tabs and what they do:

  • “Playback” Tab → Shows active sound sources (like Firefox, VLC, etc.). Ensure the correct output is selected.
  • “Recording” Tab → For input sources (like microphones). Not relevant in this case.
  • “Output Devices” Tab → Lists available audio outputs. Ensure your DisplayPort screen speakers are selected and unmuted.
  • “Input Devices” Tab → Similar to Output but for inputs.
  • “Configuration” Tab → Lets you switch sound profiles. Sometimes, the wrong profile is set, preventing sound from working.

Common Fixes for No Sound in Firefox

  • Check the “Playback” tab and ensure the Firefox stream is routed to the correct device.
  • In the “Output Devices” tab, make sure your DisplayPort screen is not muted (check for the volume slider & speaker icon).
  • In “Configuration”, try switching profiles (e.g., from “Digital Stereo” to “Analog Stereo” or vice versa).
  • If the issue persists, restarting PulseAudio with:
pulseaudio -k

and then reopening pavucontrol might help.

2. Finding Printable Documentation

Since Neville prefers something printable, I can create a simple illustrated PDF guide for him, explaining the pavucontrol GUI with labeled screenshots.
Would that be helpful? :smiley:

Cheers from Rosika :slightly_smiling_face:

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Does that help you?

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Hi Rosika,
Well that is superior to anything I could find with google.
Can you explain the difference between a Source and a Device?
What is a sound profile?
I dont even know what a mixer is?

I think that would be extremely helpful, not only to me, but to other users who have been asking about the “no sound” problem in linux.

It may take you some effort, but you would be creating something that does not exist elsewhere… make it a new topic so it gets google attention and credit for you.

Assume the reader knows nothing… like me.
For example, what is that strange button labelled with a tick that seems to make things work?

Regards
Neville

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I saw that , thank you.
It is not very well written… pictures with no explanatory text…
I am sure @Rosika can do a far better job of it.

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Hi Neville, :wave:

Oh dear, I think it´s best to post it here since you created the topic of pavucontrol in the first place.
I don´t know what it´s outcome will be, so don´t give it too much credit before you see it. :blush: .

After a while…

O.K, here comes the guide:

A Beginner’s Guide to PulseAudio Volume Control (pavucontrol)

PulseAudio Volume Control (pavucontrol) is a powerful but sometimes confusing tool for managing sound on Linux systems. This guide explains its interface with labeled descriptions and troubleshooting tips.

1. Overview of the pavucontrol Interface

pavucontrol consists of five main tabs:

A. Playback Tab

  • Displays currently playing audio sources (e.g., Firefox, VLC, system sounds).
  • Each application has a volume slider and a dropdown menu to select an output device.
  • Ensure that the correct output device is selected for Firefox or any other application.

B. Recording Tab

  • Shows active recording sources (e.g., microphones, screen recorders).
  • Typically not relevant for fixing playback issues.

C. Output Devices Tab

  • Lists all available output devices (e.g., speakers, HDMI, DisplayPort audio, Bluetooth devices).
  • Important settings:
    • Volume Slider: Adjust the overall output volume.
    • Mute Button (speaker icon): Ensure it is not muted.
    • Port Selection: Some devices offer multiple ports (e.g., speakers vs. headphones).

D. Input Devices Tab

  • Similar to “Output Devices” but for microphones and other input sources.

E. Configuration Tab

  • Allows switching between different audio profiles.
  • If sound isn’t working, try changing profiles (e.g., from “Digital Stereo (HDMI)” to “Analog Stereo”).

2. Troubleshooting No Sound Issues

A. Check Playback Routing

  1. Open pavucontrol and go to the Playback tab.
  2. Ensure the sound is being directed to the correct output device.

B. Verify Output Device Settings

  1. In the Output Devices tab, confirm that:
    • The correct output device is selected.
    • The volume slider is not at 0%.
    • The mute icon (speaker) is not activated.

C. Restart PulseAudio

If changes don’t take effect, restart PulseAudio with:

pulseaudio -k

Then reopen pavucontrol.

D. Change Audio Profile

  1. Go to the Configuration tab.
  2. Try different profiles (e.g., “Digital Stereo (HDMI)” or “Analog Stereo”).

3. Additional Resources

For further assistance, you can check:

This guide is designed to be printable for easy reference. We hope it helps!

Hmm, I was wondering…
Anything new in it? :question:

As far as screenshots are concerned, I think ChatGPT promised a bit too much. It can only provide text output to me.

Some additional info:

O.K., some answers:

I love that Neville is diving deeper into pavucontrol! :blush:

1. Difference Between a Source and a Device

:small_blue_diamond: Device → A physical or virtual piece of hardware that handles audio.
:small_blue_diamond: Source → Where the audio is coming from or being captured.

Examples:

  • Output Devices: Speakers, HDMI/DisplayPort audio, Bluetooth headphones.
  • Input Devices: Microphones, virtual audio sources (e.g., screen recording software).
  • Sources: Audio streams from apps (Firefox playing a video, VLC playing music).

In pavucontrol, the “Playback” tab shows sources (individual streams), while the “Output Devices” tab shows where the sound is going.

2. What is a Sound Profile?

:small_blue_diamond: A sound profile is a setting that determines how an audio device operates.
:small_blue_diamond: Some devices support multiple profiles (e.g., a headset with both stereo and microphone modes).

Common Sound Profiles in pavucontrol:

  • Analog Stereo Output → Standard speaker/headphone output.
  • Digital Stereo (HDMI/DisplayPort) → For external monitors with built-in speakers.
  • Analog Stereo Duplex → Both input (mic) and output (speakers) active.
  • Hands-Free Mode (HSP/HFP) → Low-quality audio with a microphone (for Bluetooth headsets).
  • High Fidelity (A2DP) → High-quality Bluetooth audio but no mic support.

If Neville’s sound wasn’t working, it’s possible the wrong profile was selected in the “Configuration” tab.

3. What is a Mixer?

:small_blue_diamond: A mixer controls and adjusts audio levels from multiple sources.

Think of it like a DJ mixing board :control_knobs::

  • Each app playing sound (Firefox, VLC, etc.) is a channel on the mixer.
  • You can adjust volume levels independently for each one.

In pavucontrol, the “Playback” tab acts as a mixer, allowing you to change volume levels or redirect sound from one output device to another.

Summary

  • Devices = Physical/virtual hardware (speakers, microphones).
  • Sources = Audio streams (Firefox, VLC).
  • Sound Profiles = Different ways a device can function (e.g., stereo vs. HDMI audio).
  • Mixer = A tool to control volume levels of multiple sources.

I hope this helps Neville! Let me know if he needs further clarification. :blush::headphones:

Hope it helps a bit.

Cheers from Rosika :slightly_smiling_face:

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What is that?
I did say I was a sound novice.

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I think you could write a separate article… ie do it offline in markdown like we did with some of those joint posts.
The chatGPT text helps, but it is not everything.
I can help if you want, but it is your thing… there is an opportunity to make a really useful contribution here.

Regards
Neville

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Hi Neville, :wave:

as far as the definition of a “DJ mixing board” is concerned…
… I hope this might be on some help:

What is a Mixer (in Simple Terms)?

Think of a mixer like a remote control for your TV, but for sound.

Just like a TV remote lets you:

  • Adjust volume for different channels :tv:
  • Switch between sources (TV, HDMI, streaming apps)

A sound mixer lets you:

  • Adjust volume for different apps :headphones: (e.g., Firefox, VLC, Zoom)
  • Choose which speakers or headphones to use :loud_sound:

How pavucontrol Works as a Mixer

Imagine you have multiple people talking at the same time:

  • A TV playing a movie :clapper:
  • A radio playing music :musical_note:
  • A phone call on speaker :telephone_receiver:

A mixer lets you:
:white_check_mark: Turn the movie volume up
:white_check_mark: Lower the music volume
:white_check_mark: Mute the phone call

In pavucontrol, the “Playback” tab does this for all your apps. You can raise, lower, or mute sound from each app separately.

Would that explanation make sense ? :smiley:

Cheers from Rosika :slightly_smiling_face:

P.S.:

Thanks for the kind offer.
Perhaps at some later point in time. At present I might not be able to get involved due to personal reasons… :slightly_frowning_face: .
Sorry.

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Hi Rosika,
Yes, thank you. Now I know what Playback is for. I have never used it because I only ever have one sound source to deal with…

Yeah, there is no rush.
Sorry, I did not want to push you into this.
What you have done already with ChatGPT is a great help to me.
I was thinking of the wider audience.

Regards
Neville

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Try this
man -k pulse
There is a very sparse man page for pavucontrol, with a link to that useless Documentation entry that I quoted above.
plus a heap of pipewire pages.

And, guess who the author of pavucontrol is?
go on, have a look at the man page

This sort of undocumented nonsense is the reason why we get queries about “no sound”.
and it is a far wider problem than just pulseaudio.
I reckon about half the major apps used in Linux are poorly documented. Some do not even have a man page, and when they do it is like the pulseaudio manpage … not much better than a placemarker.

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I wouldn’t say I “understand” it - but I did use it as a last resort on Ubuntu 18 around 2018…

Had issues where a laptop (Dell) would blank the screen and not wake up - and I think I had to undock it (Dell Latitude dock)… Did a heap of research and it mostly pointed to docks being connected to DisplayPort monitors… And one recommendation was to run pavucontrol and disable ALL output “sinks” using DisplayPort (and HDMI)…

It mostly kinda worked - but not always - so it was a kinda half-arsed resolution to my issue…

I didn’t spend a heap of time on it - then Covid happened - and I just mostly left that laptop (a personal device) on my desk at the office and used a VPN from other Linux machines at home (CheckPoint SNX VPN) to SSH to it… It was my main “jumphost” for 3-4 years when I was WFH…

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Hi Neville, :wave:

That´s quite alright. No need to worry.

I´m glad I (or rather ChatGPT) was of any help… :blush: .

I looked it up:
It´s Lennart Poettering indeed. :wink: .

You´re right. The documentation the man pages provide for pavucontrol is very poor.

Cheers from Rosika :slightly_smiling_face:

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I thought you would be a heavy user
What do you use when you play music?
I thought it was an unavoidable necessity every time one used sound?

I dont seem to get any sound out of my machine without fiddling with pavucontrol?

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These days I default to whatever the default “mixer” audio control in Gnome is … available in the top panel…

Sometimes I have to run the Gnome Settings applet if I want finer control… again - the default in my version of Gnome (42 on Pop!_OS 22.04)…

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I hardly EVER need to fire that up though - only occasionally if/when I decide to run audio out over DisplayPort to my main monitor, or finer control / settings if I occasionally switch to BlueTooth audio - but - 99% of the time I just listen to Audio via the 3.5 mm output jack on the back of my motherboard (“Starship / Matisse”).

Also - I mostly use a Lenovo ThinkPad keyboard (on my desktop machine too - wireless Lenovo ThinkPad II keyboard - with trackpoint) and press Fn+F1, F2, F3 to mute, or decrease / increase volume - it just “works”…

Modern Linux is really, mostly, remarkably mature and plug and play…

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Oh, I see… there is a sound thing under settings
I guess it is a better place to make adjustments than pavucontrol.
Thank you.
My ignorance on sound matters is being repaired.

My motherboard has a sound outlet too. I have never used it… dont own any speakers.

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I run wired headphones off the 3.5 mm audio out jack… I actually have an extension lead going to it - so easy to unjack the headphones without having to reach around to the back of the PC…

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