How to Use pavucontrol in i3

Before you start

pavucontrol is a graphical PulseAudio volume control tool. It runs locally on the same machine as the audio server and manages output devices, input devices, recording, and playback streams. In i3 it opens as a regular floating or tiled window, so it does not need a special service or daemon beyond the local PulseAudio or PipeWire session.

Before opening pavucontrol, confirm that your audio applications are running or ready to launch. Devices should already be connected when possible, because pavucontrol displays devices and streams that the local audio server can see at that time.

The exact package name can differ by distribution, but pavucontrol is generally provided by a package called pavucontrol. Install it through your distribution package manager if the command is not present.

Step-by-step instructions

Start pavucontrol from the i3 launcher by opening the run prompt and entering the program name. The usual launcher shortcut is Mod+d, after which you type pavucontrol and press Enter.

You can also add a key binding in your i3 configuration. For example, use bindsym Mod+Shift+v exec pavucontrol to open it with one shortcut, then reload the i3 configuration so the binding becomes active.

To keep the window in a predictable size, add a floating rule to the i3 configuration so pavucontrol does not consume a full tiled workspace. A rule can assign it to floating mode and limit its size; after changing the configuration, reload i3 and reopen pavucontrol.

Once the window is open, use the tabs to choose a category: Playback, Recording, Output Devices, Input Devices, or Configuration.

In Playback, select the application stream you want to change. Use the stream control to set its volume or mute state, and use the device selector to send that application to a different output device.

In Output Devices, use the port selector to choose a port for a device when more than one is available. The default device marker can be selected to make that device the default or fallback output.

For voice or video calls, open Recording to adjust a capture stream from a microphone. Input Devices lets you select the active input port and set the default or fallback input.

Keep the procedure reversible: most changes in pavucontrol are not saved as permanent system settings. Stop close pavucontrol or select the original device and volume if you need to restore the previous state.

Check the output

Confirm the expected result by watching the relevant stream in Playback or Recording while the application is active. The selected device, volume, and mute control should change immediately in the pavucontrol window.

For a camera or microphone setup, run the application that captures the device and look at its input stream. The stream should show the intended device and respond to gain changes. Pavucontrol itself does not test camera image quality; it only exposes the audio side presented by the local audio server.

Common problems and next steps

If the window opens small or fills the workspace, adjust the floating rule or the key binding in the i3 configuration and reload it. The change affects the window placement, not the audio controls themselves.

If the application shows no audio server connection, verify that the local PulseAudio or PipeWire session is installed and running for your user. Pavucontrol is a front end and cannot create missing server support by itself.

If a play stream is unavailable on the right tab, start the application first and then reopen or refresh the view. Pavucontrol may not list a stream until the application has created it on the audio server.

If a device shows multiple ports with unclear names, try one at a time while sound is playing. This helps identify the correct connector without relying on names alone.