No onboard sound after eGPU crash
Hi, as a linux-noob, I guess it was a matter of time before I'd have to make a post here. I hope you can help!
I run a dual-boot Windows 11 and Bazzite (deck, KDE) setup on my GPD Win Max 2 (6800u version). I often connect it via an M.2 to Oculink adapter to a GPD G1 (AMD 7600m XT) eGPU. My screen is then connected to the eGPU's HDMI output and the remaining peripherals are connected through the eGPU with the USB4 cable. Only my headset is directly connected to the laptop with its built-in 3.5mm jack.
In Bazzite's desktop mode, I booted up Doom, but before I could start actually playing the eGPU shut off and immediately turned itself on again. This crashed the system, screen black, audio on a short <1s loop. This has happened a couple times before, but until now just holding my laptop's power button to force the whole system off and then restarting worked without issue. However, afterwards neither the built-in speakers nor the built-in headphone jack would output any sound.
Audio does work through the HDMI port, so it seems to be isolated to the onboard audio. I booted Windows, same story there.
To be sure, I updated Bazzite to the latest version as of writing, which did not help. When I press the volume icon in the bottom right of the KDE taskbar I can see that audio should be playing through the same devices as before the crash. Opening Easy Effects, I can see the spectrum of the audio I'm trying to play as well. Bypassing or restarting with Easy Effects disabled doesn't help.
In my limited understanding of how these things work, it seems like Bazzite can play audio just fine, and makes me worry that this crash somehow fried my onboard audio hardware.
Anyone have any ideas for a fix? Or how to confirm whether it's a hardware issue rather than software?
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Update: after I don't know how many restarts in various configurations with the eGPU connected/not connected: I pressed log out instead of restart with the eGPU connected via USB4 only, which took a very long time, it booted back into Bazzite game mode automatically and somehow the audio works again.. I have no idea if this was just lucky or not, but I guess I'll leave this post up in case someone else runs into this problem.