How to fix HDMI audio in Android-x86?

Android-x86 is an open source project that ports the Android operating system, originally designed for ARM-based processors, to run natively on devices with the x86 architecture. This enables Android to run on laptops, netbooks, desktop PCs, and tablets using Intel and AMD processors ^[1].

Despite the ubiquity of ARM processors in Android devices, there are some benefits to running Android on x86 hardware. Android-x86 can extend the lifespan of older x86 machines by allowing them to run the highly adaptable Android OS. It also provides an open source Android experience with more control compared to vendor-specific Android flavors. Additionally, the ability to run Android apps on larger screens with keyboards and mice can be useful in many cases.

However, some users encounter issues with HDMI audio when running Android-x86 on their devices. The purpose of this article is to provide troubleshooting steps and solutions to fix HDMI audio problems in Android-x86.

Symptoms of HDMI Audio Issue

The most common symptom of HDMI audio not working in Android-x86 is simply no audio output when you have an HDMI cable connected from your device to a display or receiver. You may see video output working normally, but there is no accompanying audio through the HDMI connection.

You may also find that audio intermittently cuts in and out, or only partially works like missing certain channels (e.g. no surround sound). The core issue is that HDMI audio fails to function properly in some way when attempting to use an HDMI connection to output sound.

This can occur across various hardware configurations and Android-x86 versions. But the good news is there are steps you can try to troubleshoot and fix HDMI audio problems, restoring full audio output through your HDMI port.

Potential Causes

There are a few potential causes for HDMI audio not working properly in Android-x86:

Incorrect Audio Drivers

The built-in audio drivers in Android-x86 may not fully support the HDMI audio hardware in your device. This could prevent proper audio output over HDMI. Updating to the latest audio drivers compatible with your hardware is recommended to resolve this.

According to a Reddit user, updating the audio drivers fixed the HDMI audio issues for their Intel HD graphics setup (https://www.reddit.com/r/Androidx86/comments/resfvd/hdmi_audio_not_play_with_android_x86_90_r2/).

Incompatible Hardware/Firmware

There may be incompatibility issues between Android-x86 and the HDMI audio hardware/firmware in your device. For example, certain HDMI firmware versions may not work properly with Android-x86’s audio stack.

As suggested on the Android-x86 Google group, hardware and firmware incompatibilities could prevent HDMI audio from functioning correctly (https://groups.google.com/g/android-x86/c/QvZbZlQzuE4/m/QcyClS4DAgAJ). Updating firmware may help resolve these types of issues.

Update Audio Drivers

One potential solution is to download and install the latest audio drivers for your hardware. Android-x86 may not have the most up-to-date drivers, so getting a newer version directly from the manufacturer can help resolve audio issues.

To update your audio drivers:

1. Identify your audio hardware and find the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website. For Realtek audio, you can get drivers at https://www.realtek.com/en/component/zoo/category/pc-audio-codecs-high-definition-audio-codecs-software.
2. Download and install the new driver package. Follow the installation instructions carefully.
3. Restart your device after installing the drivers.

With updated drivers directly from the hardware manufacturer, you may be able to resolve any compatibility issues and enable HDMI audio properly in Android-x86.

Enable Compatibility

Android-x86 by default runs as 64-bit, which can cause incompatibility with some audio drivers and chips. Enabling 32-bit compatibility mode may help get HDMI audio working properly.

To enable 32-bit compatibility:

1. Open the Terminal app and enter su to get root access.
2. Run the command setprop sys.compatibility.mode true
3. Reboot your device for the change to take effect.

You can also try enabling audio pass-through in the BIOS. This allows the audio signal to pass directly through to the HDMI output without any processing by the system. The steps to enable this vary by manufacturer, but look for settings like “Onboard HD Audio” or “Front Panel Audio” in the BIOS audio settings.

Enabling compatibility mode and audio pass-through can help Android-x86 properly output audio over HDMI in cases where the default configurations don’t work.

Adjust Sound Settings

One potential solution is to adjust the default sound settings in Android-x86 to use the HDMI audio output. First, check that the HDMI sound card is being detected properly in Android-x86:

Open the Terminal app and run aplay -l to list all available sound cards. There should be a card listed with HDMI or DisplayPort in the name. If not, there may be an issue with HDMI audio not being enabled in the BIOS or a hardware compatibility problem.

If the HDMI sound card appears, try setting it as the default audio output device. This can be done using the alsa_amixer command [1]:

alsa_amixer -c 1

Replace 1 with the number of the HDMI sound card from the aplay -l output.

Additionally, check sound settings in the Android settings app and switch audio output to HDMI if possible. You may need to restart after changing sound settings for the changes to take effect.

Check Hardware Compatibility

Before trying to fix HDMI audio issues in Android-x86, it’s important to check that your hardware is actually compatible. The Android-x86 project maintains a list of devices known to work well with Android-x86 builds, such as the Acer W500 and Acer W700 hybrid tablets. You can refer to the Android-x86 Supported Device List to verify your hardware is listed.

In addition to official project lists, Android-x86 compatibility information can also be found on manufacturer sites like Sony’s list of Android devices with x86 processors. Before spending time troubleshooting, double check your device is known to fully support Android-x86 to avoid issues stemming from hardware incompatibilities.

Update Firmware

Updating the firmware on your motherboard or GPU can help resolve HDMI audio issues in Android-x86. Here are some tips for updating firmware:

Check the manufacturer’s website for your specific motherboard or graphics card model and see if any firmware updates are available. For example, AMD and Nvidia often provide firmware updates that can improve compatibility or fix bugs.

If updating a component like the motherboard, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. The process usually involves downloading the firmware file, putting it on a USB drive, and booting into the update utility in the BIOS. Completing the firmware update incorrectly can brick the device.

After updating firmware, reboot your device and check if HDMI audio works properly in Android-x86. You may need to adjust audio settings again after a firmware update.

Keep in mind HDMI audio may still not work due to hardware limitations. For example, some older HDMI ports do not support audio pass-through. Check specifications to ensure your ports are compatible.

As a last resort, you may need to replace the component if firmware updates do not resolve the issue. Upgrading to a motherboard or graphics card with modern HDMI outputs that officially support audio pass-through may be required.

Alternative Solutions

If you are still unable to get HDMI audio working properly after trying all of the troubleshooting steps, there are some alternative solutions you can try:

USB/Bluetooth Audio Devices

Instead of relying on HDMI audio, you can use external USB or Bluetooth speakers or headphones. This completely bypasses any HDMI audio issues. Simply plug in a USB audio device or pair a Bluetooth headset to your Android-x86 device. You may need to adjust the audio output settings to switch to the USB or Bluetooth device. This is an easy plug-and-play solution to get audio working.

Reverse HDMI

Some users have reported success by connecting the HDMI cable to their Android device and monitor/TV in the reverse orientation. So instead of plugging the HDMI cable from your Android device to the monitor, connect it from the monitor to your Android device’s HDMI port. This reverses the source/display roles and seems to correct the HDMI audio issue for some setups. It’s worth testing to see if it works for you.

While not ideal, these alternative connection methods can allow you to use Android-x86 with functioning audio while the core HDMI audio problems remain unresolved.

Conclusion

Using an HDMI connection for audio on an Android-x86 device can sometimes be problematic, but there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.

First, be sure to update your audio drivers and enable audio compatibility settings in your OS build. Adjusting default sound configurations may also help enable HDMI audio output. If you’ve confirmed hardware compatibility, checking for firmware updates can ensure proper functionality.

As a last resort, exploring alternative solutions like USB audio devices or casting to wireless speakers is recommended if HDMI audio remains unreliable. With some targeted troubleshooting and compatibility checks, most Android-x86 HDMI audio problems can be fixed.

In summary, updating drivers, adjusting compatibility settings, checking hardware specs, and updating firmware are the main steps to solve HDMI audio issues on Android-x86. Seeking alternative audio solutions or building a fully compatible OS image may be necessary if problems persist.