Pactl: switch between headphones and speakers

[kierun (Dr Yann Golanski)]

I used to run these commands:

        pactl set-sink-port 0 analog-output-lineout
        pactl set-sink-volume 0 69%

        pactl set-sink-port 0 analog-output-headphones
        pactl set-sink-volume 0 50%

To switch from headphones (low volume) to speakers (higher volume). This used to work, but then I had to re-install Fedora. It no longer does.

The analog-output-lineout seems to play, but no sound comes from the speakers as long as the headphones are plugged in. As soon as I unplug them, everything work.

Neither setting with gnome-control-settings not pavucontrol seem to matter: as long as the headphones are plugged in, the speakers do not work.

I ran pactl list with and without headphones and here is the diff:

diff log-headphones.log log-no-headphones.log

60,63c60
< 	Properties:[details="pactl list with headphones"]
< ```
< ```
< [/details]
---
> 	Properties:
366c363
< 		analog-output-headphones: Headphones (type: Headphones, priority: 9900, availability group: Legacy 5, available)
---
> 		analog-output-headphones: Headphones (type: Headphones, priority: 9900, availability group: Legacy 5, not available)
715c712
< 		analog-input-front-mic: Front Microphone (type: Mic, priority: 8500, availability group: Legacy 1, available)
---
> 		analog-input-front-mic: Front Microphone (type: Mic, priority: 8500, availability group: Legacy 1, not available)
1689c1686
< Client #2923
---
> Client #2924
1700c1697
< 		object.serial = "2923"
---
> 		object.serial = "2924"
1703c1700
< 		application.process.id = "216655"
---
> 		application.process.id = "216755"
1964c1961
< 		input:analog-stereo: Analog Stereo Input (sinks: 0, sources: 1, priority: 65, available: yes)
---
> 		input:analog-stereo: Analog Stereo Input (sinks: 0, sources: 1, priority: 65, available: no)
1968c1965
< 		analog-input-front-mic: Front Microphone (type: Mic, priority: 8500, latency offset: 0 usec, availability group: Legacy 1, available)
---
> 		analog-input-front-mic: Front Microphone (type: Mic, priority: 8500, latency offset: 0 usec, availability group: Legacy 1, not available)
1994c1991
< 		analog-output-headphones: Headphones (type: Headphones, priority: 9900, latency offset: 0 usec, availability group: Legacy 5, available)
---
> 		analog-output-headphones: Headphones (type: Headphones, priority: 9900, latency offset: 0 usec, availability group: Legacy 5, not available)

What am I doing wrong?

[jn64 (Justin Koh)]

You might have to disable jack detection to allow both jacks to work at the same time.

How can I disable front panel jack detection?

You can use hdajackretask from alsa-tools package. I did this some time ago so this is based on old notes. I’ve marked the steps in order for my config. Your board may be different of course, and the details for each pin may not be 100% correct (like colour, location), but it should be recognisable. The main thing is to set Jack detection to Not present. I had to do it for both front and rear panels. [screenshot_2023-04-17_14-15-06] Reboot after installing the config. Also I have it writt…

[kierun (Dr Yann Golanski)]

I got scared by hdajackretask’s interface. PTSD from the 1990s!

However, the thread did provide me with another (simpler?) solution:

How can I disable front panel jack detection?

Run alsamixer. If necessary, select your sound card with F6. Navigate to “Auto-Mute” with the right arrow →. Disable it with the down arrow ↓. Press Esc to exit.

I tried it and it works.

@jn64 Thank you so much for your help.

[waldziu (waldemar kowal)]

I think there are also external solutions/devices that don’t require any clicking and do switching between outputs automatically, like audioswitch headphone stand.