Arch Linux

binaryheadache

Member

Registered: 2026-03-20

Posts: 2

[SOLVED] No audio from a2dp bluetooth

This used to work, but now I am unable to get any audio from my headphones with the a2dp profile. The HPF profile works, but is mono and terrible quality.

`pactl list` shows

Card #92
	Name: bluez_card.4C_FE_2E_64_C3_56
	Driver: module-bluez5-device.c
	Owner Module: n/a
	Properties:
		device.api = "bluez5"
		device.bus = "bluetooth"
		media.class = "Audio/Device"
		device.name = "bluez_card.4C_FE_2E_64_C3_56"
		device.description = "JVC HA-S36W"
		device.alias = "JVC HA-S36W"
		device.form_factor = "headset"
		device.icon_name = "audio-headset-bluetooth"
		device.string = "4C:FE:2E:64:C3:56"
		api.bluez5.icon = "audio-headset"
		api.bluez5.path = "/org/bluez/hci0/dev_4C_FE_2E_64_C3_56"
		api.bluez5.address = "4C:FE:2E:64:C3:56"
		api.bluez5.device = ""
		api.bluez5.class = "0x260404"
		api.bluez5.connection = "connected"
		bluez5.profile = "off"
		spa.object.id = "2"
		factory.id = "15"
		client.id = "47"
		object.id = "60"
		object.serial = "92"
	Profiles:
		off: Off (sinks: 0, sources: 0, priority: 0, available: yes)
		a2dp-sink: High Fidelity Playback (A2DP Sink, codec SBC) (sinks: 1, sources: 0, priority: 132, available: yes)
		a2dp-sink-sbc_xq: High Fidelity Playback (A2DP Sink, codec SBC-XQ) (sinks: 1, sources: 0, priority: 131, available: yes)
		headset-head-unit-cvsd: Headset Head Unit (HSP/HFP, codec CVSD) (sinks: 1, sources: 1, priority: 4, available: yes)
		headset-head-unit: Headset Head Unit (HSP/HFP, codec MSBC) (sinks: 1, sources: 1, priority: 5, available: yes)
	Active Profile: a2dp-sink
	Ports:
		headset-input: Handsfree (type: Headset, priority: 0, latency offset: 0 usec, available)
			Properties:
				port.type = "headset"
			Part of profile(s): headset-head-unit-cvsd, headset-head-unit
		headset-output: Headphones (type: Headset, priority: 0, latency offset: 0 usec, available)
			Properties:
				port.type = "headset"
				device.icon_name = "audio-headphones-bluetooth"
			Part of profile(s): a2dp-sink, a2dp-sink-sbc_xq
		headset-hf-output: Handsfree (type: Headset, priority: 0, latency offset: 0 usec, available)
			Properties:
				port.type = "headset"
				device.icon_name = "audio-headset-bluetooth"
			Part of profile(s): headset-head-unit-cvsd, headset-head-unit

I have tried to downgrade bluez as per https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=312202 as well as roll back the kernel to no avail. btmon shows that there is data being sent to the device, but there is just no audio on the headset. Even the volume control mixer shows audio, so I am at a loss as to the cause and fix for this

Last edited by binaryheadache (2026-03-23 16:47:07)

binaryheadache

Member

Registered: 2026-03-20

Posts: 2

Re: [SOLVED] No audio from a2dp bluetooth

Turns out that the built in volume control sets itself to 0 when connecting over a2dp. Wile there is audio with HSF and on other devices, there is none with a1dp unless I press the volume up buttons on the headset itself. Looking at the mixers this doesn't affect the system volume, only the device itself.