alsaaudio.ALSAAudioError: Device or resource busy [plughw:1]

[ssendhil12]

Hi Guys,

I am using this module with Magic Mirror. Issue is first time I can hear alexa saying hello but after that I get the below error message.

alsaaudio.ALSAAudioError: Device or resource busy [plughw:1]

I am using a logitech c910 usb webcam with built in microphone. The raspberry pi 3 is connected to a TV via HDMI. These are the 2 connections.

I tried to search for plughw in the device variable in main.py based on other posting..Any pointers would be helpful.

(For some reason I am not able to make the usb sound to be the default as well). Thanks

[maso27]

@ssendhil12 not sure if you're using this fork or not, but you should be using this one instead. Things have changed significantly.

Check the wiki, see if that covers your issues around audio.

[ssendhil12]

@Maso27 ...thanks Yes I m using the same fork and I had gone thru the Wiki as well. Tried the stuff mentioned there. Still not had a resolution. Any comments pls let me know

[maso27]

You'll probably get a lot more support if you post this issue in that repository instead of this one.

But here's a start: 1.) You won't find plughw in main.py. It's located in /etc/opt/AlexaPi/config.yaml, where you can configure your audio inputs and outputs. 2.) I'm not entirely certain if your plughw error is an audio input or output, but since you're hearing the "hello", I'd guess it's the microphone. 3.) Check arecord -l and/or arecord -L for hints about what device your microphone is, then you can play with what's in config.yaml to see if the situation improves. Realistically though I'd expect it to be plughw:1. 4.) The dev branch at alexa-pi/AlexaPi has a sox audio handler in addition to the vlc one. I haven't played with it but it might help clear things up too.

Are you running anything other than AlexaPi that might be listening for voice inputs? Perhaps a different process is holding onto the microphone.

[ssendhil12]

@maso27 - Thanks..Agreed I will comment here and post the issue in the repository.

1. Thanks Will take a look
2. Yes Im using a USB webcam (logitech c910) with microphone capability
3. Yes this shows the USB webcam
4. Ok thanks will check and keep you posted

[ssendhil12]

@maso27 ..Thanks for the pointers...finally figured out that I had turned on the 'voicecontrol' module as part of the magic mirror. I disabled that...there is no more error. For some reason I am unable to awake 'Alexa' It says Hello and goes silent. No errors as well. arecord -l and -L shows the proper usb microphone. WIll keep checking...if u have any more pointers appreciate...Thanks.

[ssendhil12]

finally made it to work..After having it working few times,..again getting the resource busy error...will check and keep you posted

[ssendhil12]

finally it is working. Looks like I may need to get a proper usb microphone as it is not very effective. Thanks Maso27 for all the help.