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

[Kschau]

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

[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?