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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?

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2 Answers 2

Reset to default
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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.

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3
  • This solved the issue for me after trying different solutions! You're the best. That buzzing was irritating me Commented Jun 3, 2020 at 2:47
  • Worked for me on Fedora 33 on a Dell XPS laptop. Commented Nov 3, 2020 at 16:27
  • worked for debian 12 on hp laptop. Thank you for the fix. Commented Jul 6, 2024 at 21:07
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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.

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  • This assumes that other users have a similar configuration, so it might not be relevant to everyone looking at this answer. Commented Jun 23, 2021 at 19:03

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