Linux - Main audio output device gets switched upon Valheim launch - 0.217.28

71 votes

Ever since Unity engine upgrade, Linux have been reporting that their main audio output device is not respected when Valheim get launched, and gets switched to another, which often results in no sound.

Official report on Unity forums:
https://issuetracker.unity3d.com/issues/linux-no-audio-output-when-playing-audio

Problem also affects Steam deck and doesn't happen when Valheim is launched in proton compatibility mode. Second workaround is to switch back the audio device after Valheim gets launched.

Known issue Suggested by: MaCarBre (10 Dec, '23) • Upvoted: 04 May • Comments: 14

Comments: 14

08 Nov, '23
takuvata Merged
After patch 0.217.28 Valheim does not choose correct (default) audio device for output on Linux. Instead it chooses another audio device based on unknown criteria. Problem is likely Unity bug: https://issuetracker.unity3d.com/issues/linux-no-audio-output-when-playing-audio

Problem likely only affects users with multiple sound cards, hence not always reproducible.

The fact that there's no sound because wrong sound device is chosen can be visible using some Pipewire patchbay application like Helvum or Carla. Problem can also be worked around by manually rerouting audio streams after the game is launched using same applications.
3
08 Nov, '23
Denny Bernsmeier Merged
I have no sound when running native on Fedora linux. It started on Fedora 38 before I upgraded and continued after a fresh install of Fedora 39. The sound works when I run it under Proton.
25 Nov, '23
Basp Merged
Hi,

The issue that I'm having is that there is no sound in the game. The sound options are all enabled and at max volume. Quitting and restarting makes no difference.

About a week ago the same thing happened so I stopped playing for a few days and sound was working again. Today there is no sound, yesterday it was still fine.

I play the game in Steam on Linux. None of the other games in my Steam library have sound issues.
09 Dec, '23
andrew Merged
Since the last update the sound has stopped working. It is working in other applications and other steam games. I noticed that a previous release would switch the bluetooth mode to headset ie mono instead of the previous stereo. I then changed to a wired headset but now nothing.
The system is Pop_OS linux.
16 Dec, '23
Mooninite
Workaround: (Tested in Gnome) After starting Valheim open the Gnome sound settings manager and select a different output selection then select the original output. Audio from Valheim gets routed to the original output.
Click to enlarge

16 Dec, '23
Oli
This was driving me crazy as I assumed it was something at my end, because I only play valheim and didn't think to check any other audio! I am running into the same issue on Steam Deck. Steam OS and valheim are both up to date as of 16.12.23 (regular releases, no beta). Using Sony wh-1000xm3 headphones. I don't know exactly when it started.

Issue: The sound, which was previously excellent, is audible but very tinny, as if all the bass has been stripped out. It seems Unity is choosing one of the weird linux audio processor channels instead of the regular output channel. See attached image - none of the "real" audio channels are selected (steamos desktop mode -> start valheim -> system tray speaker icon -> hamburger menu in "FMOD Ex App" item).

As soon as I choose WH-1000XM3 the sound goes back to normal. Unfortunately there is no way I have found to do this in steam deck gaming mode.

Happy to provide more debugging info, please contact me if that might be helpful.
18 Dec, '23
Pete
This also seems to be happening on the Steam Deck. When docked, Valheim still outputs audio on the device speakers even though the default is the TV. Changing the system audio output device to the speakers and then back to the TV works as a temporary fix.
2
27 Dec, '23
Dogeyone Merged
On steam deck if ran with the native Linux version for some reason the audio is sent to the speakers instead of Bluetooth headset. At the same time the ui audio is sent to the headset as it’s supposed to. I have confirmed this is only happening with valheim Linux version. I’ve bypassed the problem at hand by running valheim with proton but it comes with a fps hit. I have tried 2 Bluetooth headsets and both show the same problem. I’m running latest valheim update and steam deck update with no mods. (12/27/23)
2
06 Jan
Małatok
I got the same problem on my Ubuntu. Thanks for previous comment it is a working temporary solution. But I hope that it will be fixed in the game.
09 Feb
Fab
I have the same Issue with Valheim running on Arch Linux. Launching Valheim switches my audio to my headset instead of the speakers. When I tab out to switch audio devices in KDE desktop I get a audio stutter and some freezes before it works normally again. Hoping this will get resolved as well...
1
10 Mar
Crashdown
I present to you: Four Hours of BASH, SED, pactl, and Steam Research!

https://pastebin.com/mg5h4Bh6
1
29 Mar
Xan Steel Merged
So this is only happening to Valheim. I run Fedora 39 With all the latest updates. I run my sound out of the back Line Out on the machine, but every time I load the game, it puts the sound through HDMI/DP port which has no sound output and is not selected. I have to manually change it to HDMI/DP and then back to Line Out for sound to play. I have been running Fedora 39 for several months now, and it's has been a small but consistent issue.

System specs
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
AMD Radeon 6950XT
64 gigs of DDR4 ram
System OS Fedora 39
31 Mar
Xoa Gray
Just adding to what others here have mentioned. Running the Linux version of Valheim on my PC I get no sound till I go into my sound settings and force everything over to my HDMI/DP connection. All other sound on the system works fine. And if I force my computer to run the Windows version the sound works fine.
Hoping that a fix for this comes along soon.
20 Apr
Grayson Peddie
What I have learned so far is that Vallheim in Linux chose the first sound card in order by default. If HDMI audio is the first sound card, Vallheim will choose HDMI audio as my first sound card in that order. If the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface is the first sound card even though I chose HDMI audio as my preferred sound card, Vallheim will choose the first sound card as it thinks the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is the default. No other games does that besides Vallheim.

As I have a 5.1 surround sound, I wanted to use HDMI audio and that's my preferred sound card.