Microphone Not Detected in Brave Browser on Linux Mint 21.2 (Ubuntu Repo Version)

[kazin-kharizma]

Description: I am experiencing an issue with the Brave browser where it fails to detect any microphone on my Linux Mint 21.2 system, despite saying that the microphone permissions are turned on for each. This issue is specific to the Brave version from the Linux Mint Ubuntu repository, as the microphone works correctly in other browsers (including LibreWolf and the Brave Flatpak version) on the same system. This issue is similar to: https://community.brave.com/t/brave-is-not-detecting-microphone/461124/11 with the only difference being the OS is Linux Mint 21.2 XFCE and not NixOS but oddly enough, both use the deb repository. That previous issue was closed without a solution while waiting for word back from the Linux team. I am to provide more information to try and fix it.

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Open Brave browser (Version 1.60.118 Chromium: 119.0.6045.163).
2. Navigate to any website that requires microphone access (e.g., mictests.com). 3, Attempt to use the microphone.
3. The webpage displays a message indicating that several microphones are detected, but fails to record any voice input.
4. The microphone test site reports: "Good news! The microphone checker tool determined that your microphone is working properly." However, this functionality is not reflected within Brave.
5. The name of the microphone is detected as “Lync USB Mono” but any microphone will result in the same error.
6. On websites where microphone permissions were previously granted and functional, the microphone is now detected by Brave but fails to pick up any voice input.
7. Adjustments to microphone settings and toggles within Brave have been attempted without resolving the issue.

Expected result: The microphone should be detected and function correctly, as it does in other browsers and the Brave Flatpak version on the same system.

Actual result: The microphone is not detected by the Brave browser. Websites display an error message regarding microphone access, and testing different microphones shows no response.

Troubleshooting Steps Taken: Ensured that I am using the most recent version of Brave. Tried opening Brave in a new private window. Created a new profile in Brave. Toggled the 'Use hardware acceleration when possible' setting. Checked for any pending crash reports in brave://crashes. Turned off Brave Shields. Temporarily disabled firewalls, VPNs, and antivirus software. Cleared cookies and site data. Confirmed that the microphone works in other browsers, including Chrome, LibreWolf, and the Brave Flatpak version.

Additional Information: Operating System: Linux Mint 21.2 Victoria Brave Version: 1.60.118 Chromium: 119.0.6045.163 (Official Build) (64-bit) The microphone is enabled in brave://settings/content/microphone. No relevant errors found in system logs (dmesg and journalctl).

Logs: dmesg | grep audio output:

[    5.119726] snd_hda_intel 0000:00:1f.3: bound 0000:00:02.0 (ops i915_audio_component_bind_ops [i915])
[    5.161620] snd_hda_codec_realtek hdaudioC0D0: autoconfig for ALC233: line_outs=1 (0x14/0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0) type:speaker
[    5.161624] snd_hda_codec_realtek hdaudioC0D0:    speaker_outs=0 (0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0)
[    5.161626] snd_hda_codec_realtek hdaudioC0D0:    hp_outs=1 (0x21/0x0/0x0/0x0/0x0)
[    5.161628] snd_hda_codec_realtek hdaudioC0D0:    mono: mono_out=0x0
[    5.161629] snd_hda_codec_realtek hdaudioC0D0:    inputs:
[    5.161630] snd_hda_codec_realtek hdaudioC0D0:      Mic=0x1a
[    5.161631] snd_hda_codec_realtek hdaudioC0D0:      Front Mic=0x19
[    6.518695] usbcore: registered new interface driver snd-usb-audio

journalctl -xe | grep brave output:

user sudo[3395]:    user : TTY=pts/0 ; PWD=/home/user ; USER=root ; COMMAND=/usr/local/bin/apt show brave
user audit[4946]: USER_CMD pid=4946 uid=1000 auid=4294967295 ses=4294967295 subj=unconfined msg='cwd="/home/user" cmd="/opt/brave.com/brave/brave" exe="/usr/bin/sudo" terminal=pts/0 res=success'
user sudo[4946]:    user : TTY=pts/0 ; PWD=/home/user ; USER=root ; COMMAND=/opt/brave.com/brave/brave
user systemd[1059]: Started app-flatpak-com.brave.Browser-5635.scope.
user systemd[1059]: Started app-flatpak-com.brave.Browser-5686.scope.
user systemd[1059]: Started app-flatpak-com.brave.Browser-5894.scope.

lsb_release -a output:

No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Linuxmint
Description:    Linux Mint 21.2
Release:    21.2
Codename:   victoria

I did a backup of my profile so that I could play around with clean installs as well but haven't done much with that as I wanted to reach out first:

user@terminal:~$ cd /home/kazin/.config/BraveSoftware/
user@terminal:~/.config/BraveSoftware$ ls
Brave-Browser
user@terminal:~/.config/BraveSoftware$ cp -r Brave-Browser ~/Documents/BraveBackup
user@terminal:~/.config/BraveSoftware$

I am not new to Linux but somewhat new to debugging and ticketing for solutions so I apologise if my format is off. Please let me know what additional information you may require.

[Hi-Phile]

I've noticed the following behavior in Brave under Arch Linux where being prompted for the permission to use Microphone and Camera, and allowing it, but it's not enabling it. I've noticed this mainly at app.goto.com where you join a meeting and then you're prompted with the permissions, but it does not allow or enable it.

With app.goto.com and using Chromium it does seem to work correctly. So, if there's additional information needed, I can provide it to help further troubleshoot this issue.

FYI, when using Brave at meet.jit.si the microphone and video permissions do appear and when allowed, it is working.
Even with permissions toggled to Allow explicitly, enabled for app.goto.com, it still is not working in Brave.

Brave mic / cam not working at goto.com:

Chromium working at same app.goto.com meeting link:

Brave - microphone is working and cam too at meet.jit.si:

[kazin-kharizma]

@Hi-Phile

Interesting. So it might not be isolated to Linux Mint even or it could be any number of things. Haha. I have a ticket open on the Brave community as well and I’ll keep posted here as it is responded to.

[Hi-Phile]

@Hi-Phile

Interesting. So it might not be isolated to Linux Mint even or it could be any number of things. Haha. I have a ticket open on the Brave community as well and I’ll keep posted here as it is responded to.

It certainly is interesting this behavior. Perhaps you can try to test it by using meet.jit.si?

[kazin-kharizma]

@Hi-Phile Interesting. So it might not be isolated to Linux Mint even or it could be any number of things. Haha. I have a ticket open on the Brave community as well and I’ll keep posted here as it is responded to.

It certainly is interesting this behavior. Perhaps you can try to test it by using meet.jit.si?

You can follow the issue here as well: https://community.brave.com/t/microphone-not-detected-in-brave-browser-on-linux-mint-21-2-ubuntu-repo-version/518407/5

Also, @Hi-Phile Jitsi is actually where I first encountered the issue, ha-ha! This is def Brave side or maybe repo specific and not web app specific it woudl seem.