Ubuntu 19.10 Audio driver issue

Solution 1:

I experience quite similar problems after upgrading Ubuntu 18.04 from kernel version 5.3.0-40 to 5.3.0-42. inxi shows the same sound server version.

I also have only the dummy audio device available and cat /proc/asound/cards says

 --- no soundcards ---

Not sure whether the kernel update is the reason, though. Tried a lot of multimedia stuff due to the Corona breakdown. This could have hampered audio as well.

Update: It seems originate from the kernel update. I booted in the old kernel and sound works!

A possible solution with setting a boot parameter is described here (not sure whether I'll follow that route): Ubuntu 18.04 audio disappeared after update

Update 2: Even kernel 5.3.0-45 does not seem to fix the issue (at least not for me). So, I added the following line to /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf as suggested from multiple sources (e.g. https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/alsa-driver/+bug/1868782):

 options snd-hda-intel dmic_detect=0

With that, speakers/headphone work. Internal mic will not be detected (but wasn't before, either).

For the time being, I use an external USB microphone as workaround. That one messed with the sound card ordering, however: Plugged microphone in -> no sound from speaker/headphone, unplugged -> speaker/headphone worked. So, I additionally added the lines

 options snd-usb-audio index=-1
 options snd-hda-intel index=-2

to /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf. Now, I have working sound input/output.