Pulseaudio Issues

E: [pulseaudio] module.c: Failed to load module "module-equalizer-sink" (argument: ""): initialization failed.

Symtoms

1. Starting pulseaudio will forever Establishing connection

2. pulseaudio -v will reveal the following errors:

   1. W: [pulseaudio] module-equalizer-sink.c: module-equalizer-sink is currently unsupported, and can sometimes cause PulseAudio crashes, increased latency or audible artifacts.
      W: [pulseaudio] module-equalizer-sink.c: If you're facing audio problems, try unloading this module as a potential workaround.
      E: [pulseaudio] module-equalizer-sink.c: Master sink not found
      E: [pulseaudio] module.c: Failed to load module "module-equalizer-sink" (argument: ""): initialization failed.
      E: [pulseaudio] main.c: Module load failed.
      E: [pulseaudio] main.c: Failed to initialize daemon.
      I: [pulseaudio] main.c: Daemon terminated.

Solution

Start pulseaudio using Desktop Manager's autostart script, the following instruction is for LXDE:

1. Create a desktop file on ~/.config/autostart/pulseaudio-equalizer.desktop

2. Add the following lines:

   1. [Desktop Entry] 
      Type=Application
      Exec=bash -c 'pactl load-module module-equalizer-sink; pactl load-module module-dbus-protocol;'

References

1. Archwiki's PulseAudio Wiki
2. Archwiki's PulseAudio Troubleshooting