Silence via HDMI: Fixing Beelink GK Mini Audio on AOC Roku TV After Kernel 6.17
The update to Linux Kernel 6.17 on Ubuntu has introduced a notable regression for Intel-based Mini PCs, specifically the Beelink GK Mini (Gemini Lake/J4125). When connected via HDMI to an AOC Roku TV, the system may fail to initialize the audio handshake, leaving you with "Dummy Output" or no detected sound cards. This issue typically arises because the new kernel's SOF (Sound Open Firmware) driver or snd_hda_intel module fails to correctly probe the HDMI codec of the AOC display. This tutorial provides a logical path to re-enable your audio stack without downgrading your entire OS.
Table of Content
- Purpose of HDMI Audio Probing
- Scenario: The 6.17 Kernel Regression
- Step-by-Step Recovery Methods
- Best Results: Ensuring Permanent Fixes
- FAQ
- Disclaimer
Purpose
The primary purpose of this guide is to resolve Driver-to-Display Incompatibility. In Kernel 6.17, the power management and probe sequences for Intel HDMI audio have changed. For devices like the Beelink GK Mini, the kernel may attempt to use a newer driver (snd_soc_avs) that isn't fully compatible with the hardware's older firmware, or it may fail to "wake up" the AOC Roku TV's audio receiver.
- Module Configuration: Forcing the kernel to use stable legacy drivers.
- Handshake Reset: Clearing the audio state between the Mini PC and the TV.
- Firmware Alignment: Ensuring
sof-firmwareis correctly mapped to the 6.17 kernel headers.
Use Case
This guide is specifically for users who:
- Upgraded to Kernel 6.17: Sound worked on 6.14 or earlier but disappeared after the latest HWE update.
- Use HDMI-CEC Devices: The AOC Roku TV is recognized as a display, but "HDMI/DisplayPort" is missing from Sound Settings.
- Beelink GK Mini Users: Experience "No Output Devices Found" in GNOME or KDE settings.
Step-by-Step
1. Blacklist the Problematic AVS Driver
Kernel 6.17 often defaults to a new Intel AVS driver that breaks audio on Gemini Lake chips.
- Open Terminal and create a blacklist file:
sudo nano /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-avs.conf. - Add this line:
blacklist snd_soc_avs. - Save (Ctrl+O) and update your initramfs:
sudo update-initramfs -u. - Reboot your Beelink.
2. Force Generic Intel HDA Model
If blacklisting fails, you may need to force a specific model parameter for the Intel audio chip.
- Edit the ALSA base config:
sudo nano /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf. - Add the following line at the end:
options snd-hda-intel model=generic dmic_detect=0 - Restart your machine and check Settings > Sound.
3. Reinstall and Reset PipeWire
The audio server (PipeWire) may have a stale configuration from the previous kernel.
- Run:
sudo apt install --reinstall pipewire wireplumber pipewire-audio-client-libraries. - Reset user config:
rm -rf ~/.config/pulse ~/.config/pipewire. - Restart services:
systemctl --user restart pipewire wireplumber.
4. Toggle "Fast Boot" and HDMI CEC on AOC TV
Sometimes the TV itself stops listening.
- On your AOC Roku TV, go to Settings > System > Power and disable Fast TV Start.
- Unplug the HDMI cable from the Beelink, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in while the PC is running.
Best Results
| Hardware/Setting | Optimization | Success Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | Blacklist snd_soc_avs |
High (Kernel 6.17 specific) |
| Firmware | Install sof-firmware |
Moderate |
| TV Settings | Disable Roku Fast Start | Moderate |
| Kernel Fallback | Pin to Kernel 6.14 | Guaranteed (Workaround) |
FAQ
Why did Kernel 6.17 break my sound?
Kernel 6.17 includes major updates to the Intel Sound Open Firmware (SOF). These updates intended to improve support for newer Alder Lake/Meteor Lake chips but caused regressions in how the driver identifies the "Digital Audio Codec" on older Gemini Lake Beelink units.
Can I just go back to the old kernel?
Yes. During boot, select Advanced Options for Ubuntu in the GRUB menu and choose the previous version (e.g., 6.14). If this works, you can "pin" that kernel using apt-mark hold to prevent 6.17 from loading.
My TV shows activity but there is no actual sound.
This is often a "Mute" state within ALSA. Run alsamixer in the terminal, press F6 to select your Intel card, and ensure all bars (especially "S/PDIF") are unmuted (indicated by [OO] not [MM]).
Disclaimer
Modifying kernel module parameters (modprobe) can lead to a loss of other audio inputs, such as the 3.5mm jack or internal microphones. This guide is specifically tailored for HDMI audio recovery on the Beelink GK Mini with Kernel 6.17. Always perform a system backup before modifying /etc/modprobe.d/ files. Data valid as of March 2026.
Tags: Beelink, HDMI-Audio, LinuxKernel, UbuntuFix
