Volume changes non stop in Zorin OS 18 Pro and Im desperate for help

General Help
1

Hi. Im a happy Windows refugee and Im very happy on Zorin OS 18 Pro.
I have a big problem tho and that problem have followed me through the different linux distros I have tried.. but the problem didnt exist on Windows.
My volume keeps racing up and down insanely fast.. No matter if I use bluetooth headphones with a dongle, usb headphones or stereo speakers with a 3.5mm audio jack.. the problem pop up many times a day and when it hits I must restart my pc to make it stop.. and then it continues at random.. I dont know whats wrong.. google mention many possible things that can be wrong.. the problem, however, isnt a thing when I connect my Zorin pc to a av reciever via hdmi (I have a rtx 3060 nvidia pgu and an intel mobo and intel cpu.
I LOVE Zorin ALOT and I really want to stay on Linux because it have made me fall in love with computing all over again, but this audio bug is so crippling for my computer use that if it cant be fixed then I feel forced to return to windows 11 which I absolutely hate with a passion.
I really hope some of you can help me.

Steffen.

2

Welcome to the Forum!

You could try it with Pulse Audio Volume Control. It is a Tool to set up Audio Input and Output. You can install it with sudo apt install pavucontrol

When installed, open it set up the Audio Device, You want use and the Volume. Then test if it works. You could also post the Output of the Command sudo lshw -C multimedia here please.

3

Thank you for your assistance. Here are the output from the command.
Maybe it has something to do with different apps fighting over the audio device??

*-multimedia
description: Audio device
product: GA106 High Definition Audio Controller
vendor: NVIDIA Corporation
physical id: 0.1
bus info: pci@0000:01:00.1
logical name: card1
logical name: /dev/snd/controlC1
logical name: /dev/snd/hwC1D0
logical name: /dev/snd/pcmC1D3p
logical name: /dev/snd/pcmC1D7p
logical name: /dev/snd/pcmC1D8p
logical name: /dev/snd/pcmC1D9p
version: a1
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pm msi pciexpress bus_master cap_list
configuration: driver=snd_hda_intel latency=0
resources: irq:17 memory:92080000-92083fff
*-usb:0
description: Video
product: Streaming Webcams
vendor: YLX-231212-H
physical id: 3
bus info: usb@1:3
logical name: card2
logical name: /dev/snd/controlC2
logical name: /dev/snd/pcmC2D0c
version: 12.12
serial: 01.00.00
capabilities: usb-2.00
configuration: driver=snd-usb-audio maxpower=500mA speed=480Mbit/s
*-multimedia
description: Audio device
product: Comet Lake PCH-V cAVS
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1f.3
bus info: pci@0000:00:1f.3
logical name: card0
logical name: /dev/snd/controlC0
logical name: /dev/snd/hwC0D0
logical name: /dev/snd/pcmC0D0c
logical name: /dev/snd/pcmC0D0p
logical name: /dev/snd/pcmC0D1p
logical name: /dev/snd/pcmC0D2c
version: 00
width: 64 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pm msi bus_master cap_list
configuration: driver=snd_hda_intel latency=32
resources: iomemory:400-3ff iomemory:400-3ff irq:138 memory:4012020000-4012023fff memory:4012000000-401200ffff

4

Btw I dont use hdmi audio but my 2 monitors are connected to my pc via hdmi (monitor 1) and displayport (monitor 2) and my 5.1 speaker setup is now connected as stereo speakers via 3.5mm audio jack. I also have bluetooth dongle for my sony headphones and a usb gaming headset.

5

Just to clarify a few things. When the pc is logged into Zorin and is sitting idle on the desktop, there are no audio volume problems. But when I use steam on one monitor with my internet browser (brave) on playing youtube videos on monitor 2 or I listen to music from my digital collection oin Rhytmbox, then very often the audio volume begins to race up and down very fast. Its almost like the different apps are fighting an epic battle over which of them shall control the audio software. Thats the best way I can explain it.

6

Do they run then over the same Audio Source or over different one's?

7

When I dont use my headset they both run on the stereo analog output and when I use my headset they both use the usb audio output for my headset.

8

Do both have the same Audio Settings? I mean are both Stereo and have set up the same Volume Level?

9

Yes they are both at 100 percent (0 db). But I did follow a guide earlier to prevent brave from taking over the audio volume levels so brave browser cant change the volume levels. That seems to have helped but I dont know if it is the correct solution.

10

But I can see that the hdmi output (nvidia) is set at 40 percent. Can that have something to do with my audio problems?

11

Did You already installed pavucontrol? If yes, go there in the Configuration Tab and try it with disabling the Audio Sources that You don't use.

12

Thank you. I have disabled the hdmi output and now and it hasnt messed with the volume for a few hours now. I will see it that was the end of my audio problems.
If it still gives me trouble in a few days time, can I maybe contact you in a private message here on the forums?
Btw.. thank you for your help. This is what I like most about the Linux community. There are lots of people ready to help a new Linux fan like myself.
Thank you :slight_smile:

1 Like
13

Hi and welcome.

Usually Linux looks for the Primary audio source, HDMI - if you have a separate sound card what usually happens is the audio can clash. Take a look at my SoundBlaster Tutorial on blacklisting HDMI (be sure to read the entire thread, not just my first post:

14

I would think it is better to let it open here. So, other's can read that, too and bring in Idea's/Suggestions/Advices.

15

I believe I have solved the problem with volume racing up and down in Zorin OS on my pc.. I have disconnected the monitor that was connected via hdmi and now I just have 1 monitor conected via displayport and now the volume problems is solved. I dont know how, but it was a hdmi issue and that has been completely solved by only using displayport for my monitor.

1 Like
16

Good that it runs now. I have marked Your Post as Solution.