How to troubleshoot audio problems on ASUS ROG laptops in Linux

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If you use an ASUS ROG laptop with Linux and the sound isn't working properly, you're not alone. Between muted audio, undetected speakers, no Dolby Atmos support, and rogue Realtek chipsIt's quite common for a high-end computer to sound worse on Linux than on Windows. The good news is that almost all of these problems have an explanation and, in many cases, a practical solution.

In this article we will calmly break down, What types of audio failures commonly occur in ASUS ROG laptops and similar hardware running Linux?We'll explore why these issues occur and what you can do to fix them, or at least minimize the pain. We'll also look at what the kernel community is doing to improve compatibility with modern hardware like the ASUS ROG Ally X, and what alternatives you have when the integrated sound chip becomes a constant headache.

Typical audio problems on ASUS ROG with Linux

A number of patterns are repeated in ASUS ROG laptops and related hardware (handhelds, ROG motherboards, etc.). Symptoms can vary greatly: from hearing absolutely nothing to a metallic sound, very low volume, or constant electrical noise.It is important to clearly identify the type of problem, because the solution is usually different in each case.

One of the most curious bugs that some users have described is the following: Lowering the volume doesn't actually make the sound quieter, but rather makes it sound "muted" or "underwater".It's as if a strange filter were applied, while the system sounds remain perfectly clear and unaffected by the volume change. In other words, changing the volume doesn't reduce the intensity, but rather the quality.

In other cases the problem is more classic: There is no sound from either the built-in speakers or the headphonesHowever, the same device works perfectly fine under Windows. This can be seen, for example, in some ASUS laptops with AMD Ryzen processors (such as a UM433D with a Ryzen 5 3500U), where Linux detects the hardware using commands like lspci y aplay -lHowever, PipeWire or PulseAudio do not fully utilize the integrated ALC294 codec correctly.

The intermediate scenario also appears: Linux does play sound, but with very poor quality, very low volume, or a "metallic" ring.This is common in modern laptops with advanced audio systems (Dolby Atmos, multiple speakers, dedicated woofers, smart amplifiers, etc.), such as the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14, where the system only detects part of the actual speaker configuration or does not apply the proprietary DSP profiles that are loaded in Windows.

Finally, on ROG desktop motherboards with chips like the Realtek ALC1220Another recurring problem is the appearance of Constant electrical noise in the headphones, clicking sounds, and sometimes even system crashes when using the integrated audio under LinuxIn Windows, installing the official motherboard driver eliminates the noise, while in Linux, codec support is not yet fully optimized for certain chipset and kernel combinations.

The role of ALSA, PulseAudio and PipeWire in sound quality

When audio behaves strangely when you adjust the volume, the problem is often not in the hardware itself, but in How are the different mixing channels managed between ALSA and the user sound layer? (PulseAudio or PipeWire). On some ASUS laptops, lowering the volume of the "master channel" or speakers in ALSA mode creates that muffled sound effect, while adjusting only the PCM volume offers a real volume reduction while maintaining clarity.

A practical solution that worked very well in a real-world case of a laptop running Linux was: Leave the "Master" channel and the speaker channel at 100% in alsamixer, and only adjust the PCM volumeIn this way, the software mixer manages the volume without degrading the signal, avoiding that "submerged" effect when lowering the level.

To do this, you need to have the ALSA utility package installed. On Arch-based distributions, for example, simply run:

sudo pacman -S alsa-utils

With that you'll be able to open alsamixer From the terminal, check which channels are available and make sure both the master channel and the speaker channels are at 100%. Then, let the graphical volume control (or the laptop's volume keys) adjust only the appropriate channel, usually PCM or the overall volume of the PulseAudio/PipeWire "sink".

In more modern PipeWire environments, another technique that can make a difference is using a remapping module. For example, one user achieved a very clear improvement by loading a “remap sink” module that points directly to the actual ALSA device and creates a new “PCM” logic output on which to adjust the volume:

pactl load-module module-remap-sink sink_name=PCM master=alsa_output.pci-0000_00_1f.3.analog-stereo channels=2

After doing so, it is advisable restart PipeWire services at the user level:

systemctl --user restart pipewire pipewire-pulse wireplumber

After this restart, the recommended workflow was to enter alsamixer, Set all channels to maximum and then use the new remapped audio output ("remapped alsa…") as the main device on your desktop.In KDE Plasma 6, for example, you can right-click the volume icon in the system tray, go to "Configure audio devices," and select the output that begins with "remapped alsa…". This way, both the keyboard volume keys and the panel icon adjust only the PCM volume, keeping the hardware signal at its maximum without any unusual distortion.

In other desktop environments the process is similar, although the menu paths change slightly. The important thing is to understand the logic: It's not always convenient to lower the volume directly in ALSA's hardware controls; sometimes it's better to leave it at maximum and control everything in the PipeWire/PulseAudio mixing layer..

ASUS ROG Ally X and the effort of the Linux community

The ASUS ROG family isn't limited to laptops; it also includes handheld devices like the ASUS ROG Ally Xvery popular among gamers who want a handheld gaming PC. In the case of this machine, The Linux kernel developer community has been working for some time to polish the audio problems that appeared when installing Linux distributions instead of Windows.

The real push for these fixes came in early 2026, when user reports began to accumulate about Sound subsystem failures in Ally X with Linux-based systemsThe symptoms ranged from a total lack of audio to erratic behavior in games and multimedia applications, something that is completely unacceptable in a device designed for gaming.

To address these shortcomings, kernel contributors have been preparing specific patches for the Ally X audio driverThe goal is for the hardware to function correctly on popular distributions like Ubuntu, Fedora, SteamOS, and other gaming-oriented variants. This process is not trivial: it involves reverse engineering, analyzing how the device initializes under Windows, and constant testing of new kernel versions.

Specialized media outlets like Phoronix, directed by Michael Larabel, were among the first to detail this work. They explained how, Through continuous adjustments to the kernel code and testing in multiple scenarios, the audio experience on the Ally X is gradually getting closer to what users expect from such recent hardware.And it's not just about making it "sound"; you also have to properly manage power profiles, latencies, and compatibility with different audio APIs used by games.

All of this reflects a typical pattern in the Linux ecosystem: Whenever a new cutting-edge hardware gadget appears, support isn't always ready on day one.In many cases, full compatibility depends on months of work by volunteer developers and companies interested in giving that hardware a presence in the world of free software.

In markets like Brazil, where the Ally X has gained many fans who are also fans of open systems, these advances are especially important. A handheld like the Ally X becomes truly interesting when it can function without being exclusively tied to Windows.allowing users to choose their preferred Linux distribution for gaming or general use.

Although the audio patches for the Ally X are slated for widespread integration in the first quarter of 2026, The recommendation for less advanced users is to wait until the distributions include these fixes in a stable way.Installing experimental kernels or manually applying patches carries risks, so if the device is your main gaming machine, it might be wiser to wait for a fix to "arrive on its own" via official updates.

ASUS laptops with Ryzen and Realtek codecs: silent detection

In the ASUS laptop range with AMD Ryzen processors, another fairly common pattern is that Distributions that detect the sound card but don't play anythingA clear example is that of an ASUS UM433D with Ryzen 5 3500U, in dual boot with Windows and Linux Mint.

In this particular case, the user tested several distributions. With Xubuntu, the installation went smoothly, but There was no audio at all, even though previous versions of the same distro did work.Pop!_OS also didn't produce any sound, not even in the live test environment. Linux Mint, on the other hand, didn't offer audio in live mode, but curiously, it did start working immediately after installation to disk.

The joy was short-lived. After installing a suite of common applications (Discord, GIMP, Conky, etc.) and updating the system with Mint's graphics updater, The sound disappeared again, both in speakers and headphones.We even tried installing PulseAudio instead of the default tools, without success. On Windows, however, the audio continued to work perfectly.

If we look at the diagnostic commands, lspci It featured an AMD audio coprocessor (ACP/ACP3X/ACP6x) and an HD audio controller for the 17h/19h family. For its part, aplay -l It listed two playback cards: one corresponding to HDMI and the other to a Realtek ALC294 analog codec. This indicates that the hardware is being detected, but something is wrong with the driver configuration or how PipeWire/PulseAudio selects the output.

In situations like this, it's advisable to review several points: Check if the kernel used by the distribution includes the latest support for the codec in question, verify that the HDMI output is not being selected instead of the analog output, and consult How to view my PC componentsTry deleting and regenerating the PulseAudio/PipeWire user configuration, or even booting with a different kernel if the distro allows it.

When even manually installing PulseAudio doesn't get the system to produce sound, it may be due to a specific bug in the kernel or audio stack for that hardware combination. In such cases, it is highly recommended to search the distribution's forums, report the problem with complete logs, and follow the developers' instructions.This is because specific patches or adjustments to the kernel audio module parameters are often needed for relatively new AMD + Realtek chips.

Zephyrus G14, Dolby Atmos and the deception of advanced audio

High-end gaming laptops like the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (GA403WR-XS97) They bring very sophisticated audio systems to Windows: multiple speakers, double-power woofers, tweeters, smart amplifiers, AI noise cancellation, Hi-Res certifications and, above all, very finely tuned Dolby Atmos sound profiles to boast about in marketing.

When Linux is installed on a computer like this, it often happens that The system does not correctly recognize the actual number of speakers nor can it apply proprietary DSP profilesThe result, for the user, is that the laptop sounds "tinny": lower volume than expected, lack of bass punch, and a general feeling of metallic or flat audio, even though technically the sound "works".

Upon reviewing the output of aplay -l In a real case of Zephyrus G14, the following was observed: several NVidia HDA HDMI devices, one other AMD/Generic HDMI device, and a single ALC285 analog deviceNothing on that list suggests a four-speaker system with dedicated woofers, and by default ALSA usually displays a simple stereo configuration.

Trying to replicate Dolby Atmos on Linux, as of today, is quite limited. There is no full official support for Dolby Atmos like there is on Windows, and manufacturers don't usually release their software or processing profiles.Some users have tried solutions like Easy Effects (formerly PulseEffects) or JamesDSPAdding a convolutor and loading impulse responses designed for Dolby might improve things a little, but it's still far from matching the experience of the official Windows drivers.

In practice, the reality is that you can get decent sound on Linux with these types of gaming laptops, but It is very difficult to reproduce the same advanced processing "magic" that is obtained with the manufacturer's proprietary drivers and software.For those who are very particular about audio, the most sensible thing to do is to assume that Linux will offer a simpler profile and rely on equalization tools, compressors and effects in PipeWire to adjust the sound as best as possible.

Conflicting Realtek chips in ROG desktop motherboards

Audio problems in ASUS ROG hardware aren't limited to laptops. They also affect desktop motherboards, such as a ASUS ROG Strix X370-F Gaming with the Realtek ALC1220 chipNotable incompatibilities with Linux have also been detected. In one documented case, a user, with over a decade of experience using GNU/Linux, encountered for the first time a sound chip that simply didn't work properly, beyond mere sound quality.

With different distributions and kernels (from versions with Linux 4.13 to openSUSE Tumbleweed snapshots with 4.14), the behavior was repeated: Electrical noise that bled in when playing something, and constant noise from the left earpiece even when nothing was playing.Furthermore, it is suspected that the chip may have caused a system crash.

To rule out a hardware failure, Windows 10 was installed on a separate disk. The same problem appeared with the generic Windows driver, but After installing the official motherboard drivers, the noise disappeared and the sound quality became quite good. For a Realtek product, this clearly points to a driver support issue, rather than a hardware defect.

Although Realtek ALC1220 is theoretically supported from Linux 4.11 onwards, The combination of this codec with certain AMD motherboards seems to continue causing headaches.If we're talking about a production machine where it's not advisable to test experimental kernels, the option of updating the kernel until we find a version that perfectly supports it isn't always viable.

In this context, the author of that experiment proposes a solution that is sometimes viewed with suspicion in the Linux world, but which, realistically, makes perfect sense: Buy a dedicated sound card and disable the integrated sound chip in the BIOS.When stability and sound clarity matter more than getting the most out of the integrated hardware, it's a very reasonable alternative.

Alternative sound cards when the integrated one isn't up to par

If your integrated sound chip (for example, a Realtek ALC1220 on a ROG motherboard) is giving continuous problems and you can't afford to be tinkering with kernels, modules, and patches, Switching to a dedicated sound card compatible with Linux can save you a lot of time and headaches.Several options are available here, depending on the type of equipment and the required level of quality.

Temporary solution or for laptops: USB sound card

Laptops don't allow for the installation of a standard internal PCIe card, so the most practical solution is use an external USB sound cardIt's also a good temporary solution for desktop computers when you don't feel like opening the box or want to try something quickly before a larger investment.

A fairly widespread and economical option is the Creative Sound Blaster Play! 2It can be found for a price range that is around €21-28 in stores like AmazonAnd various user experiences indicate that it works correctly under Linux. In the case of a problematic Realtek chip, this small USB card can be a lifesaver while you decide whether to upgrade to a more robust internal solution later on.

Basic “definitive” solution: ASUS Xonar DSX

If you're using a desktop computer and you're simply looking for it to sound good without aiming for audiophile perfection, a good candidate is the ASUS Xonar DSXIt costs around 51 euros on Amazon and it has gained a good reputation among Linux users as a replacement for problematic integrated audio.

One of its strong points is that It works "out of the box" on Linux: you connect it to a PCIe slot, turn on the computer, and the system recognizes it without any problems.The sound quality is acceptable, with some very occasional crackling if very high volumes are combined on the system and in certain applications, but overall it offers a much better experience than a problematic integrated chip.

For those seeking better quality: ASUS Xonar DX

For users who place more importance on sound quality, another interesting internal sound card is the ASUS Xonar DX, a veteran with almost a decade behind her but still highly valued. Its price is around 70 eurosTherefore, it is more expensive than the DSX, but in return it offers noticeably superior audio quality.

According to tests published on Linux-related websites, the Xonar DX provides a Very clean playback, with immediate support on Linux also “out of the box”However, unlike the DSX, the DX requires direct power from the power supply (via an additional connector), something to keep in mind when assembling the equipment.

In short, both the Xonar DSX and the Xonar DX are solid options for Replace a faulty Realtek chip and forget about electrical noises, clicks, or instability in Linux.The choice between one and the other will depend on how much you care about fine sound quality and your budget.

Adjust ALSA volumes when the new card sounds low

One detail that confuses many when they switch from a Realtek chip to a dedicated card (internal or USB) is that, Sometimes, the overall volume feels very low despite having the desktop volume control at maximum.This is usually due to how ALSA interprets the speaker output and the master channel.

In some cases, ALSA treats the speaker output as if it were a separate headphone output from the master channel, leaving the latter very low by default. The solution is simple: Open alsamixer and turn the master channel volume all the way up.You can do it this way from the terminal:

alsamixer

Once inside, you just have to Use the arrow keys to navigate between the different controls, locate "Master" (and other relevant channels) and turn them up to 100%.After that, you can use the graphical volume control in your desktop environment to adjust the daily level without it falling short.

Disable the Realtek chip in the BIOS to avoid conflicts

Once you've chosen an alternative sound card that you know works on Linux, Keeping the integrated chip active can cause unnecessary conflictsThe system may select the wrong output, some applications may use the Realtek device instead of the new card, and in general, diagnosing potential problems becomes more complicated.

That's why it's usually highly recommended. Disable the Realtek audio chip in the motherboard BIOSThe specific procedure varies depending on the model, but in general it can be summarized as follows:

1. Restart the computer and enter BIOS by pressing the corresponding key (on many ASUS motherboards it is Delete during startup).
2. Switch to advanced mode if the BIOS boots in simple mode (usually with the key F7).
3. Find the section on “Integrated peripherals” or “Onboard devices configuration” (name may vary).
4. Locate the option related to the integrated audio controller (Realtek, HD Audio, USB Audio, etc.) and put it in “Disabled”.
5. Save changes and exit (usually with F10).

After doing this, Linux will only see the new sound card. greatly simplifying the configuration and preventing the system from getting confused between multiple output devices.

Once you understand this whole picture, the reality is that audio on ASUS ROG laptops and similar hardware running Linux is a field where still-immature kernel drivers, temperamental Realtek codecs, proprietary technologies like Dolby Atmos that have no direct open-source equivalent, and, of course, ALSA/PipeWire configurations that aren't always well-tuned out of the box all converge. Adjusting channels in alsamixer, using remapped sinks, waiting for patches for recent devices like the ROG Ally X, or even opting for a dedicated sound card are all different paths that, combined with a little patience, allow a machine that initially sounded terrible to end up offering more than decent audio on Linux, without sacrificing the freedom of the operating system you want to use.