Until several months ago, somewhere around 14.1.5pre I think, sound on this system worked, but since then it has no longer. It's no better running an IceWM session. Any ideas how to get it to work, in particular bothering me, the dbus failure? Why is $DISPLAY missing? Why is pulseaudio even needed any more with pipewire and wireplumber development having all but stopped pulseaudio development?

# inxi -SAaz --vs --za --hostname inxi 3.3.38-00 (2025-04-06) System: Host: ab85m Kernel: 6.12.38+deb13-amd64 arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 14.2.0 clocksource: tsc avail: hpet,acpi_pm parameters: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz root=LABEL=<filter> noresume ipv6.disable=1 net.ifnames=0 consoleblank=0 preempt=full mitigations=off Desktop: TDE (Trinity) v: R14.1.5~[DEVELOPMENT] tk: Qt v: 3.5.0 wm: Twin v: 3.0 with: kicker vt: 7 dm: 1: TDM 2: XDM Distro: Debian GNU/Linux 13 (trixie) Audio: Device-1: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v3/4th Gen Core Processor HD Audio vendor: ASUSTeK driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus-ID: 00:03.0 chip-ID: 8086:0c0c class-ID: 0403 Device-2: Intel 8 Series/C220 Series High Definition Audio vendor: ASUSTeK driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus-ID: 00:1b.0 chip-ID: 8086:8c20 class-ID: 0403 API: ALSA v: k6.12.38+deb13-amd64 status: kernel-api with: aoss type: oss-emulator tools: alsactl,alsamixer,amixer Server-1: aRts v: 1.5.10 status: active with: artswrapper status: off tools: artsbuilder,artsdsp Server-2: PipeWire v: 1.4.2 status: off with: 1: pipewire-pulse status: active 2: wireplumber status: off 3: pipewire-alsa type: plugin 4: pw-jack type: plugin tools: pw-cat,pw-cli,wpctl # journalctl -b | grep aile Aug 11 00:45:21 ab85m kernel: platform regulatory.0: firmware: failed to load regulatory.db (-2) Aug 11 00:45:21 ab85m kernel: platform regulatory.0: firmware: failed to load regulatory.db (-2) Aug 11 00:45:21 ab85m kernel: platform regulatory.0: firmware: failed to load regulatory.db (-2) Aug 11 00:45:21 ab85m kernel: platform regulatory.0: Direct firmware load for regulatory.db failed with error -2 Aug 11 00:45:21 ab85m kernel: cfg80211: failed to load regulatory.db Aug 11 00:45:21 ab85m kernel: r8169 0000:03:00.0: firmware: failed to load rtl_nic/rtl8168f-1.fw (-2) Aug 11 00:45:21 ab85m kernel: r8169 0000:03:00.0: firmware: failed to load rtl_nic/rtl8168f-1.fw (-2) Aug 11 00:45:21 ab85m kernel: r8169 0000:03:00.0: firmware: failed to load rtl_nic/rtl8168f-1.fw (-2) Aug 11 00:45:21 ab85m kernel: r8169 0000:03:00.0: Direct firmware load for rtl_nic/rtl8168f-1.fw failed with error -2 Aug 11 00:45:22 ab85m rpc.statd[652]: Failed to create listener xprt (statd, 1, udp6) Aug 11 00:45:22 ab85m rpc.statd[652]: Failed to create listener xprt (statd, 1, tcp6) Aug 11 00:45:22 ab85m blkmapd[667]: open pipe file /run/rpc_pipefs/nfs/blocklayout failed: No such file or directory Aug 11 00:45:22 ab85m rpc.mountd[677]: Failed to create listener xprt (mountd, 1, udp6) Aug 11 00:45:22 ab85m rpc.mountd[677]: Failed to create listener xprt (mountd, 1, tcp6) Aug 11 00:45:22 ab85m rpc.mountd[677]: Failed to create listener xprt (mountd, 2, udp6) Aug 11 00:45:22 ab85m rpc.mountd[677]: Failed to create listener xprt (mountd, 2, tcp6) Aug 11 00:45:22 ab85m rpc.mountd[677]: Failed to create listener xprt (mountd, 3, udp6) Aug 11 00:45:22 ab85m rpc.mountd[677]: Failed to create listener xprt (mountd, 3, tcp6) Aug 11 00:45:23 ab85m exim4[1019]: 2025-08-11 00:45:23 IPv6 socket creation failed: Address family not supported by protocol Aug 11 00:45:23 ab85m systemd[1]: exim4.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'. Aug 11 00:45:34 ab85m pipewire-pulse[1198]: spa.dbus: Failed to connect to session bus: Unable to autolaunch a dbus-daemon without a $DISPLAY for X11 Aug 11 00:45:34 ab85m systemd[1178]: pipewire.socket: Failed to queue service startup job: Unit dbus.service not found. Aug 11 00:45:34 ab85m systemd[1178]: pipewire.socket: Failed with result 'resources'. Aug 11 00:45:35 ab85m dbus-daemon[1263]: [session uid=0 pid=1261 pidfd=4] Activated service 'org.freedesktop.systemd1' failed: Process org.freedesktop.systemd1 exited with status 1 Aug 11 00:47:26 ab85m pipewire-pulse[1610]: spa.dbus: Failed to connect to session bus: Unable to autolaunch a dbus-daemon without a $DISPLAY for X11 Aug 11 00:47:26 ab85m systemd[1590]: pipewire.socket: Failed to queue service startup job: Unit dbus.service not found. Aug 11 00:47:26 ab85m systemd[1590]: pipewire.socket: Failed with result 'resources'. Aug 11 00:49:52 ab85m dbus-daemon[1986]: [session uid=0 pid=1984 pidfd=4] Activated service 'org.freedesktop.systemd1' failed: Process org.freedesktop.systemd1 exited with status 1 Aug 11 00:49:52 ab85m dbus-daemon[2036]: [session uid=0 pid=2034 pidfd=4] Activated service 'org.freedesktop.systemd1' failed: Process org.freedesktop.systemd1 exited with status 1 # dpkg-query -W|egrep 'alsa|arts|audio|codec|demul|fmpeg|gstr|jack|kodi|26[45]|mix|mpv|pavu|puls|sof-|sound|vlc|wire|xdg'|sort alsa-base 1.0.27+1 alsa-firmware-loaders 1.2.14-1 alsa-oss 1.1.8-2 alsaplayer-alsa:amd64 0.99.82-2+b1 alsaplayer-common 0.99.82-2+b1 alsaplayer-text:amd64 0.99.82-2+b1 alsa-tools 1.2.14-1 alsa-ucm-conf 1.2.14-1 alsa-utils 1.2.14-1 artsbuilder-trinity 4:14.1.5~pre3-0debian13.0.0+2 arts-trinity 4:14.1.5~pre0-0debian13.0.0+2 firmware-sof-signed 2025.01-1 kmix-trinity 4:14.1.5~pre3-0debian13.0.0+2 libalsaplayer0:amd64 0.99.82-2+b1 libarts1-akode-trinity 4:14.1.5~pre3-0debian13.0.0+2 libarts1-audiofile-trinity 4:14.1.5~pre3-0debian13.0.0+2 libarts1c2a-trinity:amd64 4:14.1.5~pre0-0debian13.0.0+2 libarts1-mpeglib-trinity 4:14.1.5~pre3-0debian13.0.0+2 libarts1-xine-trinity 4:14.1.5~pre3-0debian13.0.0+2 libartsc0-trinity:amd64 4:14.1.5~pre0-0debian13.0.0+2 libasound2-data 1.2.14-1 libasound2t64:amd64 1.2.14-1 libaudio2:amd64 1.9.4-9 libaudiofile1:amd64 0.3.6-7+b1 libcanberra-pulse:amd64 0.30-18 libde265-0:amd64 1.0.15-1+b3 libgstreamer1.0-0:amd64 1.26.2-2 libheif-plugin-libde265:amd64 1.19.8-1 libjack0:amd64 1:0.126.0-4 libopenh264-8:amd64 1:2.6.0-dmo1 libpipewire-0.3-0t64:amd64 1.4.2-1 libpipewire-0.3-modules:amd64 1.4.2-1 libpipewire-0.3-modules-x11:amd64 1.4.2-1 libpulse0:amd64 17.0+dfsg1-2+b1 libvlccore9:amd64 1:3.0.21-1-610-g3e1083e7b5-dmo1 libwebrtc-audio-processing-0:amd64 0.1-3 libwebrtc-audio-processing-1-3:amd64 1.3-3+b1 libwireplumber-0.5-0:amd64 0.5.8-2 menu-xdg 0.7 pipewire-alsa:amd64 1.4.2-1 pipewire:amd64 1.4.2-1 pipewire-audio 1.4.2-1 pipewire-audio-client-libraries 1.4.2-1 pipewire-bin 1.4.2-1 pipewire-jack:amd64 1.4.2-1 pipewire-pulse 1.4.2-1 pipewire-v4l2:amd64 1.4.2-1 sound-theme-freedesktop 0.8-4 tdemultimedia-kappfinder-data-trinity 4:14.1.5~pre3-0debian13.0.0+2 tdemultimedia-tdefile-plugins-trinity 4:14.1.5~pre3-0debian13.0.0+2 tdemultimedia-tdeio-plugins-trinity 4:14.1.5~pre3-0debian13.0.0+2 vlc-plugin-pipewire:amd64 3-3+b2 wireplumber 0.5.8-2 xdg-user-dirs 0.18-2 # alsactl info # # Sound card # - card: 0 id: PCH name: HDA Intel PCH longname: HDA Intel PCH at 0xf7c10000 irq 31 driver_name: HDA-Intel mixer_name: Realtek ALC887-VD components: HDA:10ec0887,10438576,00100302 controls_count: 39 pcm: - stream: PLAYBACK devices: - device: 0 id: ALC887-VD Analog name: ALC887-VD Analog subdevices: - subdevice: 0 name: subdevice #0 - stream: CAPTURE devices: - device: 0 id: ALC887-VD Analog name: ALC887-VD Analog subdevices: - subdevice: 0 name: subdevice #0 - device: 2 id: ALC887-VD Alt Analog name: ALC887-VD Alt Analog subdevices: - subdevice: 0 name: subdevice #0 alsactl: rawmidi_device_list:109: snd_ctl_rawmidi_next_device: Inappropriate ioctl for device # wpctl status Could not connect to PipeWire # pw-cli list-objects Device Error: "failed to connect: Host is down" # pw-cli list-objects Node Error: "failed to connect: Host is down" # aplay -lL null Discard all samples (playback) or generate zero samples (capture) pipewire PipeWire Sound Server default Default ALSA Output (currently PipeWire Media Server) hw:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC887-VD Analog Direct hardware device without any conversions plughw:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC887-VD Analog Hardware device with all software conversions sysdefault:CARD=PCH HDA Intel PCH, ALC887-VD Analog Default Audio Device front:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC887-VD Analog Front output / input surround21:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC887-VD Analog 2.1 Surround output to Front and Subwoofer speakers surround40:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC887-VD Analog 4.0 Surround output to Front and Rear speakers surround41:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC887-VD Analog 4.1 Surround output to Front, Rear and Subwoofer speakers surround50:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC887-VD Analog 5.0 Surround output to Front, Center and Rear speakers surround51:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC887-VD Analog 5.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Rear and Subwoofer speakers surround71:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC887-VD Analog 7.1 Surround output to Front, Center, Side, Rear and Woofer speakers dmix:CARD=PCH,DEV=0 HDA Intel PCH, ALC887-VD Analog Direct sample mixing device hw:CARD=HDMI,DEV=3 HDA Intel HDMI, K272HUL Direct hardware device without any conversions hw:CARD=HDMI,DEV=7 HDA Intel HDMI, EA243WM Direct hardware device without any conversions hw:CARD=HDMI,DEV=8 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 2 Direct hardware device without any conversions plughw:CARD=HDMI,DEV=3 HDA Intel HDMI, K272HUL Hardware device with all software conversions plughw:CARD=HDMI,DEV=7 HDA Intel HDMI, EA243WM Hardware device with all software conversions plughw:CARD=HDMI,DEV=8 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 2 Hardware device with all software conversions hdmi:CARD=HDMI,DEV=0 HDA Intel HDMI, K272HUL HDMI Audio Output hdmi:CARD=HDMI,DEV=1 HDA Intel HDMI, EA243WM HDMI Audio Output hdmi:CARD=HDMI,DEV=2 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 2 HDMI Audio Output dmix:CARD=HDMI,DEV=3 HDA Intel HDMI, K272HUL Direct sample mixing device dmix:CARD=HDMI,DEV=7 HDA Intel HDMI, EA243WM Direct sample mixing device dmix:CARD=HDMI,DEV=8 HDA Intel HDMI, HDMI 2 Direct sample mixing device **** List of PLAYBACK Hardware Devices **** card 0: PCH [HDA Intel PCH], device 0: ALC887-VD Analog [ALC887-VD Analog] Subdevices: 1/1 Subdevice #0: subdevice #0 card 1: HDMI [HDA Intel HDMI], device 3: HDMI 0 [K272HUL] Subdevices: 1/1 Subdevice #0: subdevice #0 card 1: HDMI [HDA Intel HDMI], device 7: HDMI 1 [EA243WM] Subdevices: 1/1 Subdevice #0: subdevice #0 card 1: HDMI [HDA Intel HDMI], device 8: HDMI 2 [HDMI 2] Subdevices: 1/1 Subdevice #0: subdevice #0 # systemctl -l --no-pager --global --user status pipewire.{service,socket} pipewire-pulse.{service,socket} wireplumber ○ pipewire.service - PipeWire Multimedia Service Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/user/pipewire.service; enabled; preset: enabled) Drop-In: /etc/systemd/user/pipewire.service.d └─override.conf Active: inactive (dead) TriggeredBy: × pipewire.socket

× pipewire.socket - PipeWire Multimedia System Sockets Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/user/pipewire.socket; enabled; preset: enabled) Drop-In: /etc/systemd/user/pipewire.socket.d └─override.conf Active: failed (Result: resources) since Mon 2025-08-11 00:47:26 EDT; 14min ago Duration: 39ms Invocation: a932c55f77a746faa375974cdfbd237d Triggers: ● pipewire.service Listen: /run/user/0/pipewire-0 (Stream) /run/user/0/pipewire-0-manager (Stream)

Aug 11 00:47:26 ab85m systemd[1590]: Listening on pipewire.socket - PipeWire Multimedia System Sockets. Aug 11 00:47:26 ab85m systemd[1590]: pipewire.socket: Failed to queue service startup job: Unit dbus.service not found. Aug 11 00:47:26 ab85m systemd[1590]: pipewire.socket: Failed with result 'resources'.

● pipewire-pulse.service - PipeWire PulseAudio Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/user/pipewire-pulse.service; enabled; preset: enabled) Drop-In: /etc/systemd/user/pipewire-pulse.service.d └─override.conf Active: active (running) since Mon 2025-08-11 00:47:26 EDT; 14min ago Invocation: bfb11235ec0542b6985c7aa9b011f608 TriggeredBy: ● pipewire-pulse.socket Main PID: 1610 (pipewire-pulse) Tasks: 2 (limit: 18917) Memory: 1.1M (peak: 2M) CPU: 18ms CGroup: /user.slice/user-0.slice/user@0.service/session.slice/pipewire-pulse.service └─1610 /usr/bin/pipewire-pulse

Aug 11 00:47:26 ab85m systemd[1590]: Started pipewire-pulse.service - PipeWire PulseAudio. Aug 11 00:47:26 ab85m pipewire-pulse[1610]: spa.dbus: Failed to connect to session bus: Unable to autolaunch a dbus-daemon without a $DISPLAY for X11

● pipewire-pulse.socket - PipeWire PulseAudio Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/user/pipewire-pulse.socket; enabled; preset: enabled) Drop-In: /etc/systemd/user/pipewire-pulse.socket.d └─override.conf Active: active (running) since Mon 2025-08-11 00:47:26 EDT; 14min ago Invocation: 85998ab6f804434595a85f480bf13e08 Triggers: ● pipewire-pulse.service Listen: /run/user/0/pulse/native (Stream) CGroup: /user.slice/user-0.slice/user@0.service/app.slice/pipewire-pulse.socket

Aug 11 00:47:26 ab85m systemd[1590]: Listening on pipewire-pulse.socket - PipeWire PulseAudio.

○ wireplumber.service - Multimedia Service Session Manager Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/user/wireplumber.service; enabled; preset: enabled) Active: inactive (dead) # aplay /usr/local/share/sound/alsa/test.wav aplay: main:850: audio open error: Host is down #^ # aplay -D plughw /usr/local/share/sound/alsa/test.wav aplay: main:850: audio open error: Host is down #^ # aplay -D default /usr/local/share/sound/alsa/test.wav && sleep 5 aplay: main:850: audio open error: Host is down #^ # aplay -D hdmi /usr/local/share/sound/alsa/test.wav aplay: main:850: audio open error: No such file or directory #^ # aplay -D hdmi:0,0 /usr/local/share/sound/alsa/test.wav aplay: main:850: audio open error: No such file or directory #^ # aplay -D hdmi:0,1 /usr/local/share/sound/alsa/test.wav aplay: main:850: audio open error: No such file or directory #^ # aplay -D hw:0,3 /usr/local/share/sound/alsa/test.wav aplay: main:850: audio open error: No such file or directory #^ # aplay -D hw:0,7 /usr/local/share/sound/alsa/test.wav aplay: main:850: audio open error: No such file or directory #^ #