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**AMD Ryzen laptop: internal microphone not capturing audio (acp6x DMIC / Realtek ALC256)**
I am experiencing an issue with the **internal microphone** on an AMD Ryzen–based laptop when using Arch-based Linux systems.
### System overview
* CPU: AMD Ryzen
* Audio codec: Realtek **ALC256**
* Internal microphone: **Digital Microphone (DMIC) via acp6x**
* Audio stack: **ALSA + PulseAudio**
* Distribution: Arch / Artix Linux
* Kernel: standard distribution kernel
### Observed behaviour
* `arecord -l` reports two capture devices:
* `HD-Audio Generic – ALC256 Analog`
* `acp6x – DMIC capture`
* PulseAudio lists two input sources (Mic1 and Mic2), both shown as *RUNNING*
* Despite this, **no audio signal is captured**:
* Recordings made with `parecord` contain silence
* Direct ALSA recordings (`arecord`, with PulseAudio suspended) also contain silence
* Input level meters in `pavucontrol` show no activity when speaking
### Troubleshooting performed
* Verified all capture channels in `alsamixer` (Capture, Internal Mic, Mic Boost)
* Tested multiple sample formats and channel configurations (e.g. `S16_LE`, stereo)
* Recorded with PulseAudio suspended using `pasuspender`
* Confirmed PulseAudio sources with `pactl list short sources`
### Driver configuration tests
* Applied:
```
options snd-hda-intel dmic_detect=0
```
This had no effect, as the digital microphone is managed by **acp6x**, not `snd-hda-intel`.
* Blacklisted ACP-related modules:
```
blacklist snd_acp6x
blacklist snd_acp6x_pdm_dma
blacklist snd_acp3x_rn
```
After rebuilding the initramfs:
* The DMIC device was no longer detected
* Only the ALC256 analog capture device remained
* The analog microphone still captured silence
* Audio output was also lost, so the blacklist was reverted
### Current status
* Internal microphone does not capture any audio
* Audio output functions only when acp6x is enabled
* The issue appears related to **ACP / DMIC support on AMD Ryzen laptops**
### Request for guidance
Are there known solutions or recommended configurations for **acp6x DMIC microphones** on Ryzen systems?
Would testing:
* a newer kernel,
* specific ACP or SOF driver options,
* or PipeWire instead of PulseAudio
be advisable in this scenario?
Any relevant information or similar experiences would be appreciated.
Last edited by kixew (2025-12-18 17:05:49)
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