Seems like the problem has been partially resolved: I did not mention that I had a dual boot machine with Windows 10, since I did not think it was relevant. Now, here is what I did:
I first reinstalled Ubuntu 16.04 (erased the Ubuntu 16.10 partition). When I logged into Ubuntu 16.04 the sound problem was still there. I then logged into Windows 10 an suddenly realized that the sound problem was also present in Windows 10. So I now suspected it might be a hardware issue and not related to Ubuntu at all. But before ordering service on the machine I decided to try to reinstall Windows 10 also. >From Windows, I selected "Reset Windows" (option "Remove everything"). After logging back into Windows 10 after the reset, the sound problem was still there, but the same day I was about to ship the laptop for service, I logged back into Windows a last time, and, voila, the sound problem was suddenly gone. I then logged back into Ubuntu 16.04, and to my great relief the sound was now working from Ubuntu also! So then it was not a hardware issue, but what was it then? If I should guess now, the problem could maybe be related to the external interface connector on the Dell laptop. Since it is a multipurpose microphone in/stereo headphones/external speakers/headset connector it might have confused Ubuntu? The reason is: Each time I try to connect the headphones in Ubuntu I get a popup dialog asking what audio device I am trying to connect. If I choose headphones it works fine until the next reboot. After that I need to unplug them and replug them for sound to start working again. The problem could also be related to Ubuntu 16.10 vs. Ubuntu 16.04. To check this I would have to reinstall Ubuntu 16.10, but I do not have the courage to do that currently.. -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Desktop Packages, which is subscribed to alsa-driver in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1636905 Title: Sound card not recognized on Dell Vostro 5568 Status in alsa-driver package in Ubuntu: New Bug description: I just reinstalled a fresh Ubuntu 16.10 on my Dell Vostro 5568 laptop. The audio controller on the laptop is a Realtek ALC3246 with Waves MaxxAudio Pro. The external interface connector is a microphone in/stereo headphones/external speakers connector. When I select "System Settings->Sound" the output device in the dialog window shows as "Dummy Output" and when I press the "Test Sound" button no sound is heard from either front left or front right speaker ( I have ensured sound is not muted ). Note: Before reinstalling, I asked a question on askubuntu,com: http://askubuntu.com/q/841759/156688 So reinstallation of Ubuntu 16.10 did not help on my sound problem. To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/alsa-driver/+bug/1636905/+subscriptions -- Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~desktop-packages Post to : desktop-packages@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~desktop-packages More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp
