Configuring the audio for Linux

Bill Giannikos

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Modern Linux distributions will auto-detect and configure the sound drivers for you. The purpose of this guide is to describe the problems you may have with your laptop.

For more details on installing newer versions of ALSA on your computer have a look at our guides section which covers a number of different distributions.

There are a number of issues which can appear with certain laptops. Below is a description of the problem and possible solutions.

1. Ensure the volume is turned up and is not muted.
2. Try running 'alsamixer' from the terminal and see if adjusting the volume settings from here works.
3. Again in alsamixer, try toggling some of the switches. 'External Amplifier' sometimes works.
4. Upgrade to the latest ALSA drivers. You can view our Guides for details on doing this on various distributions.
5. Head to the ALSA bugs section and do a search for your laptop. There is sometimes a workaround which other users have developed.
6. Try the Audio Tester utility.

This issue is common with newer laptops which Use the snd-hda-intel module.

1. Try running 'alsamixer' and toggle some of the switches. 'External Amplifier' sometimes works.
2. Upgrade to the latest ALSA drivers. You can view our Guides for details on doing this on various distributions.
3. Head to the ALSA bugs section and do a search for your laptop. There is sometimes a workaround which other users have developed.

1. Ensure the volume is turned up and is not muted.
2. Try running 'alsamixer' from the terminal and see if adjusting the volume settings from here works.
3. Again in alsamixer, try toggling some of the switches.
4. Upgrade to the latest ALSA drivers. You can view our Guides for details on doing this on various distributions.
5. Head to the ALSA bugs section and do a search for your laptop. There is sometimes a workaround which other users have developed.