This is a similar problem to this post but I was unable to add to the comments since I am new to StackExchange. I tried the answer posted by Vishesh but it didn't solve the issue for me; when I run start-pulseaudio-x11 command it still says "Failure: Module initialization failed". However, the sound works for all my other applications (VLC, Rhythmbox, web-based audio such as YouTube and SoundCloud). I have not tried the solution posted by Vikas as I wasn't sure whether it would impact my applications that do have audio output.
The problem started when I switched my audio output to HDMI; I had plugged my computer into my TV.
Is anyone else experiencing this issue?
42 Answers
The simplest solution is to install pavucontrol sudo apt install pavucontrol.
Then you launch it and the gui will let you choose the output for each application.
Yes, I experienced a similar problem today but not just with Spotify.
In my case, no application was able to play the sound.
Only system sounds were coming.
This occured after I had plugged my laptop to my TV using HDMI cable and then unplugged it.
This is how I solved it.
- Connect your PC back to the Device using HDMI port
- Go to display and mirror the screens
- Go to settings>sound.
- Change the audio output to the HDMI device
- Change the audio output back to the laptop/PC
- Go to display and switch back to your laptop screen
- Unplug the HDMI cable
