No Sound on Ubuntu? Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide (2025 Edition)

By 佐川 直弘 | Naohiro Sagawa (運営者)

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1. Initial Checks

If you’re facing sound issues on Ubuntu, the first thing to check is your basic system settings and connections. These simple checks often resolve the issue without diving into advanced troubleshooting, making this step crucial.

Check System Volume and Mute Settings

It’s surprisingly common to overlook volume or mute settings. In Ubuntu, system-wide volume and app-specific volume controls are separate, so if one is muted, you might not hear any sound.

1. Click the speaker icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
2. Make sure the volume slider isn’t all the way down and that mute isn’t enabled.
3. If needed, increase the volume and click the speaker icon to unmute.

You can also check per-application volume under “Settings” → “Sound” → “Applications” to ensure the app you’re using isn’t muted.

Verify the Correct Output Device Is Selected

Ubuntu may detect multiple audio output devices (e.g., speakers, HDMI, Bluetooth). If the wrong one is selected, it might seem like there’s no sound at all.

1. Go to “Settings” → “Sound.”
2. Select the “Output” tab and check that the desired speaker or headphone device is selected.
3. If the device isn’t listed, the connection may not be recognized—check cables and ports again.

Check Physical Connections

Don’t forget to check for hardware issues, especially if you’re using external speakers or headphones. Make sure the following are in order:

• Cables are firmly plugged in
• No dust or debris in the port
• Try the device with another system (e.g., a smartphone) to see if it works

These checks can help you determine whether the issue lies with your Ubuntu system or the hardware itself.

2. Check and Adjust Sound Settings

In many cases, sound issues in Ubuntu are caused by incorrect sound settings or the wrong output device being selected. This section walks you through how to adjust sound output settings via the system preferences.

Manually Switch the Output Device

Sometimes Ubuntu doesn’t automatically select the correct audio output device, especially when using HDMI or Bluetooth speakers. In such cases, switching manually is necessary.

1. Click “Activities” in the bottom-left corner and open “Settings.”
2. From the left-hand menu, select “Sound” and go to the “Output” tab.
3. Choose the speaker or headphone device you are actually using from the list of available devices.

For example, if both speakers and an HDMI monitor are connected, Ubuntu may prioritize HDMI. But if the monitor doesn’t have built-in speakers, you won’t hear any sound. In this case, manually select “Speakers (Built-in Audio)” or a similar option.

Run a Sound Test

Once you’ve selected your output device, use Ubuntu’s built-in test feature to confirm that sound is working.

• In the “Sound” settings under the “Output” tab, click the “Test” button.
• Check if sound plays correctly from the left and right speakers.

If you only hear sound from one side or none at all, the issue might be with the hardware or connection cables.

Try Changing the Sound Profile

If the sound profile is set incorrectly, audio may not play properly. This often happens with Bluetooth devices or USB audio interfaces.

1. Go to “Settings” → “Sound” → “Output” and select your audio device.
2. Check the “Profile” section. If it’s not visible, install the “PulseAudio Volume Control (pavucontrol)” for more advanced settings.

Sometimes switching to a different profile—like “High Fidelity Playback (A2DP Sink)” or “Digital Stereo Output”—can resolve the issue and restore sound.

sudo apt install pavucontrol
pavucontrol

Run the above commands in the terminal to install and launch a more detailed audio configuration tool.

3. Troubleshooting PulseAudio

Ubuntu uses a sound server called PulseAudio to manage audio output across the system and applications. If PulseAudio encounters issues, it can lead to complete loss of sound. This section covers basic troubleshooting steps to get PulseAudio working again.

Restart PulseAudio

One of the simplest and most effective solutions is to restart PulseAudio. Try this before making deeper configuration changes.

Run the following commands in your terminal:

pulseaudio -k
pulseaudio --start

The first command forcibly stops PulseAudio, and the second restarts it. While PulseAudio usually restarts automatically, doing it manually can often resolve glitches.

Reset Sound Configuration

If PulseAudio still doesn’t work properly, the problem may lie in a corrupted configuration file. Resetting your audio settings can help restore default behavior.

1. Delete your PulseAudio config folder using this command (it will be recreated automatically):

rm -r ~/.config/pulse

2. Then restart PulseAudio:

pulseaudio --start

This will remove all customized audio settings and restore default behavior. In many cases, this alone can fix stubborn sound issues.

Check Advanced Settings with pavucontrol

The default “Settings” panel doesn’t show all the available audio options. For more advanced control, use the PulseAudio Volume Control tool (pavucontrol).

Install and Launch:

sudo apt install pavucontrol
pavucontrol

Things to Check:

• Output Devices tab: Make sure the correct device is active and selected.
• Playback tab: Check if the application you’re using is muted or misrouted.
• Configuration tab: Ensure the audio profile is properly set for your hardware.

This tool is especially useful when managing multiple output devices or diagnosing app-specific sound issues.

4. Check and Configure ALSA

Ubuntu’s audio system is built on top of ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture), which handles low-level audio functions. PulseAudio relies on ALSA to transmit audio signals. If ALSA isn’t working correctly, fixing PulseAudio alone won’t help.

This section shows how to inspect and adjust ALSA settings to ensure it’s working properly.

Use alsamixer to Check Volume and Mute Status

alsamixer is a terminal-based tool for adjusting ALSA audio settings. It lets you check mute status and switch inputs/outputs—things you can’t always do through the graphical interface.

1. Launch alsamixer in the Terminal

alsamixer

This will open an interactive screen with various volume levels and controls:

• Use the left/right arrow keys to navigate
• Use the up/down arrow keys to adjust volume
• Press M to toggle mute on/off (muted items show MM)

Note: Some channels like headphones or speakers may be muted individually. Be sure to check all available channels.

2. Switch Between Sound Cards

Press F6 to display all detected sound cards. If multiple devices are available, switch between them and check their individual volume and mute settings.

Check Sound Card Detection

If Ubuntu doesn’t recognize your sound card, that could explain why there’s no audio. Use the following command to check if your sound card is being detected:

lspci | grep -i audio

If you’re using a USB audio device, try this instead:

lsusb

If nothing related to audio shows up in the output, your hardware may not be detected at all. In that case, check your BIOS settings or drivers.

Reset ALSA to Default

If ALSA is misconfigured or not working due to manual changes, resetting it to the default settings can help.

sudo alsa force-reload

This command reloads ALSA modules and resets your audio configuration. Rebooting afterward is also recommended to apply the changes completely.

5. Check and Update Audio Drivers

Another common cause of sound problems in Ubuntu is outdated or missing audio drivers. This is especially true after a system upgrade or when installing Ubuntu on a new computer. In some cases, the appropriate drivers are not applied automatically.

This section explains how to check the status of your audio drivers and install or update them if needed.

Check for Available Drivers

Ubuntu includes a tool that automatically detects recommended drivers for your hardware. Use the following command to see the available drivers:

sudo ubuntu-drivers devices

The output will show currently installed drivers and any recommended ones. If no audio-related devices are listed, Ubuntu may not have recognized your sound hardware properly.

Automatically Install Recommended Drivers

If recommended drivers are available, you can install them using this command:

sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall

This will automatically install all recommended drivers for your system. Once complete, make sure to reboot your system:

sudo reboot

If sound works after the reboot, the issue was likely driver-related.

When You Might Need a Dedicated Driver

In some cases, built-in audio chips—especially those from Realtek—might not work properly with Ubuntu’s default drivers. If this happens, you may need to take additional steps:

• Download Linux drivers directly from the Realtek website and build/install them manually
• Use patched drivers available on the Ubuntu forums or Launchpad

Note: These steps are more advanced and generally recommended only for experienced users. Before attempting them, try the standard Ubuntu tools first.

6. Other Solutions

If you’ve checked all basic settings and driver-related issues but still don’t have sound, the problem might be caused by deeper system configurations or environment-specific factors. This section covers additional solutions to try when nothing else works.

Check BIOS Settings

If audio is disabled at the hardware level in your BIOS settings, no amount of software configuration in Ubuntu will help. This is particularly common with desktop PCs.

What to Look For in the BIOS:

• Ensure options like “Onboard Audio” or “HD Audio” are set to “Enabled”
• If a device is set to “Auto,” try changing it to “Enabled” explicitly

The key to access the BIOS varies by manufacturer (often F2 or Delete during boot). Be sure to save any changes before exiting.

Try a Different Kernel Version

In rare cases, certain Linux kernel versions may have audio-related bugs. Switching to a different version—especially an older, stable one—can sometimes resolve these problems.

1. Check Your Current Kernel Version:

uname -r

2. Browse and Install Other Kernel Versions:

Ubuntu provides access to alternative kernels through the mainline repository. If you prefer a graphical interface, you can install the Mainline Kernel tool:

sudo apt install mainline
mainline

Once the GUI launches, select a stable kernel version (e.g., 5.15 series) and install it. After rebooting, check if audio works correctly.

Consider Reinstalling Ubuntu

If nothing else works—even after trying the steps in this guide—reinstalling Ubuntu may be your last resort. This should be done with caution, as it will wipe your settings and require rebuilding your environment.

However, a clean install can often resolve problems caused by corrupted configuration files or conflicting drivers.

7. FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Sound issues on Ubuntu can have a variety of causes depending on your system setup. This section answers some of the most common questions users have and provides quick solutions.

Q1. I lost sound after upgrading Ubuntu. What should I do?

A.
After an upgrade, audio problems may be caused by driver mismatches or broken configuration files. Try the following steps in order:

1. Restart PulseAudio: pulseaudio -k
2. Install pavucontrol and ensure the correct output device is selected
3. Run sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall to automatically reinstall drivers
4. If needed, reset ALSA: sudo alsa force-reload

If the problem persists, consider switching to a different kernel version.

Q2. I’m using an HDMI connection but no sound comes from my monitor. What should I do?

A.
Sometimes Ubuntu doesn’t correctly detect HDMI as the default output device. Try the following:

1. Go to “Settings” → “Sound” → “Output” and select “HDMI” or “Digital Output (HDMI)”
2. Click the “Test” button to verify sound output
3. Use pavucontrol to check that individual applications are sending audio to the HDMI device

If there’s still no sound, try using a different HDMI port or check for kernel compatibility issues.

Q3. I can hear sound through headphones, but not from external speakers. Why?

A.
This usually means the output is locked to “Headphones” or the speakers are not being detected properly.

Try the following:

• Go to “Settings” → “Sound” → “Output” and manually select “Speakers (Built-in Audio)”
• Open alsamixer and check if the speaker output is muted or has low volume
• Try different speakers to rule out hardware issues

Q4. I lose sound every time I restart my PC. Do I have to reconfigure it every time?

A.
This happens when sound settings are not saved properly. Try setting your preferred output in pavucontrol, then log out and back in to see if the setting persists.

If the configuration resets after every reboot, it may be due to permission issues or a missing profile save. Try resetting PulseAudio like this:

rm -r ~/.config/pulse
pulseaudio --start

8. Summary

Sound issues in Ubuntu are something that many users—both beginners and advanced—encounter at some point. These problems can be caused by a wide range of factors, including misconfigured settings, driver issues, or hardware faults. The good news is that most cases can be resolved with a structured, step-by-step approach.

This article walked you through several stages of troubleshooting to help identify and fix the problem:

• 1. Initial Checks: Confirm volume, mute settings, and physical connections
• 2. Sound Settings: Review output devices and audio profiles
• 3. PulseAudio: Restart the sound server and verify its settings
• 4. ALSA: Use terminal tools to check low-level audio settings
• 5. Drivers: Check for missing or outdated drivers and update if needed
• 6. Other Solutions: BIOS settings, kernel versions, or even reinstalling Ubuntu
• 7. FAQ: Quick answers to common user questions

Some audio issues can’t be fixed through graphical settings alone. For those cases, terminal tools like pulseaudio, alsamixer, and pavucontrol become essential. They offer deeper control and are often the key to resolving more complex problems.

If you’re still unable to fix the issue after following these steps, consider searching Ubuntu Forums or Q&A sites like Ask Ubuntu or Stack Overflow. It’s likely that someone else with a similar hardware setup has experienced—and solved—the same issue.