How to reinstall PulseAudio (Ubuntu 12.04)
I was trying to fix my audio problems using suggestions from this forum. One of the comments suggested I execute this and only this:
killall pulseaudio
So I did, and I restarted my computer just in case, but all it did was remove my soundcard and I still couldn't hear anything. Now I don't know how to get my soundcard back.
Please note that I am extremely inexperienced when it comes to Ubuntu.
Solution 1:
From a forum thread, open a terminal and type:*
sudo apt-get purge pulseaudio
sudo apt-get clean && sudo apt-get autoremove
Reboot. Open a terminal again and type (ignore any errors with the rm command):
rm -r ~/.pulse ~/.asound* ~/.pulse-cookie ~/.config/pulse
sudo apt-get install pulseaudio
sudo alsa force-reload
pavucontrol
The last command should restart the PulseAudio server and launch a desktop application for its settings. Another thread notes that there might be conflicts with IPv6. If so, then edit /etc/avahi/avahi-daemon.conf and set use-ipv6 to no:
[server]
use-ipv4=yes
use-ipv6=no
Restart the avahi-daemon (e.g., reboot again).
Make sure that the audio devices are not muted.
*Note: Using apt instead of apt-get may work as well.
See also:
- Missing System Settings after removing some packages
- https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=127480
- http://itsfoss.com/fix-sound-ubuntu-1304-quick-tip/
- http://www.troubleshooters.com/linux/sound/sound_troubleshooting.htm
Solution 2:
Try out the Ubuntu Software Center (easiert way to go for a beginner) at the tab "installed" search for pulse and you can select the entry and click "remove".
After removed, simply search for pulse again and install it.