Bluetooth audio device connected but not showing up in audio devices

Question

Ubuntu 15.04 Dell XPS-13

I can connect my audio devices via Bluetooth, but I can not use them as they don't show up in sounds settings as an output option (or input option).

How do I fix this?

Solution 1

I tried to load the module first but I got a Failure: Module initialization failed so you have to unload the module first:

pactl unload-module module-bluetooth-discover

and then load it again:

pactl load-module module-bluetooth-discover

After that I was able to see the audio device in audio settings.

Solution 2

I had the same issue here with Ubuntu Gnome 15.10 and 16.04. What helped me was adding read permissions for the gdm user on the pulseaudio bin.

sudo setfacl -m u:gdm:r /usr/bin/pulseaudio

after that restart pulseaudio (or restart your system)

pulseaudio -k

your bluetooth device should now be listed in the audio device list.

Solution 3

Blueman has a bug that will unload module-bluetooth-discover if it is loaded during boot so that you will likely need to unpair the audio device and then

pactl load-module module-bluetooth-discover

Then pair your device and see if it appears in sound settings

Comments

[Aaron Weinberg]

(when I run) ~ $ sudo pactl load-module module-bluetooth-discover (I get) Failure: Module initialization failed

[Aaron Weinberg]

When I try to install blueman bluetooth manger I get paste.ubuntu.com/10980288

[Jeremy31]

I am not sure what is going on

[select]

Similar problems here $ sudo pactl load-module module-bluetooth-discover Home directory not accessible: Permission denied Connection failure: Connection refused pa_context_connect() failed: Connection refused $ sudo -i pactl load-module module-bluetooth-discover Connection failure: Connection refused pa_context_connect() failed: Connection refused

[Wilhelm Erasmus]

Welcome to AskUbuntu :) I think you should add some detail to your answer, since it won't make much sense without the other answer. If your answer is the correct one it will be boosted to the top, and will thus be out of context.

[cincodenada]

@select Pulseaudio runs as your user, so you shouldn't use sudo with it - the error messages you cite are totally different, and due to using sudo.

[Jeremy31]

@cincodenada I think select has more issues than that. I have used sudo and not used sudo and never seen that error.

[weelux]

I get: setfacl: Option -m: Invalid argument near character 3

[mjb]

That did the trick for me, too! Thank you so much! I was looking for a fix for this issue all over!

[Thorsten Niehues]

gdm needs to be your user ID (username seems to work too) - I'll edit the answer

[Thorsten Niehues]

This command made even the internal audio device disappear! How to fix?

[Thorsten Niehues]

Use sudo setfacl -m u:1000:r-x /usr/bin/pulseaudio where 1000 is your user id. Type id in a terminal to view your id. Keep in mind to use r and x else all output devices are gone!

[Bassie]

what if I get Connection failure: Connection refused after first command?