Buzzing when not playing

Question

I am using a fresh system with PulseAudio. This system previously did not have this issue when using GNOME, but with this reinstall I am using i3wm without a DE.

The issue is that after my analog audio output idles for a few seconds (between 5 and 10), it begins to buzz. As soon as something opens the audio device (including pavucontrol), the buzz goes away.

My suspicion is the device is being disabled after idling and some interference from the AC power source is causing the noise.

I don't want to have to make something hold ownership of the device, because sometimes I use other software that doesn't play nice with PulseAudio and I need it to access this device.

What can I do to remedy this behavior?

score 12 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 19 '19 at 23:55

12

I found in /etc/pulse/default.pa and /etc/pulse/system.pa a line:

load-module module-suspend-on-idle

After commenting these out, the problem is solved.

answered Apr 19 '19 at 23:55

2mac

1,025

This solved the issue for me after trying different solutions! You're the best. That buzzing was irritating me – germmand Jun 03 '20 at 02:47
Worked for me on Fedora 33 on a Dell XPS laptop. – Kevin Buchs Nov 03 '20 at 16:27

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 21 '21 at 03:28

0

The answer above may be everyone's solution but I also wanted to mention what fixed my buzzing when no audio was playing or when idling after a few seconds. Make sure your output device is correct! Haha, I have an external sound card that the system was for some reason defaulting to and created this same issue. Needed to change to Line Out.

answered Jun 21 '21 at 03:28

satanobsidian

1

This assumes that other users have a similar configuration, so it might not be relevant to everyone looking at this answer. – Thomas N Jun 23 '21 at 19:03

Buzzing when not playing

2 Answers2