Please note: this is an updated version of the guide for restoring the volume button in Ubuntu 10.04/Gnome 2, and is specifically for those using the Gnome 3 “Classic” (Fallback) desktop (though may be applicable for Gnome-Shell and Unity).
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If you’ve just upgraded to 12.04 “Precise Pangolin” and found that the volume icon/button is missing from the system tray (at the far-right of the top Gnome panel), you can choose between adding the newer indicator applet, or running the old stand-alone volume button like back in Gnome 2. With the indicator applet, it will load automatically with each boot, but it doesn’t take much to get the legacy volume button to do the same.
Volume Button:
Note: Those who’ve had to do this before in Ubuntu 10.04 through to 11.10 will have noted the package gnome-volume-control-applet no longer exists, but since it has just been renamed, all you need to do is change the command to gnome-sound-applet.
To run it for the current session, hit Alt+F2 to open the Run Application app, paste gnome-sound-applet into the text field, and click the Run button (you can also enter the command into a terminal, but the button will disappear if you close the terminal).
To get it to start automatically from the next reboot, click the cog in the top-right (in Unity) and open Startup Applications and add it as a new entry with a name like “Volume Button”. If you’re using Gnome Classic, your user menu in the top-right won’t include Startup Applications, so just run gnome-session-properties via Alt+F2 or in a terminal.
If for some reason the volume app is missing on your system, run sudo apt-get install gnome-sound-applet in the terminal.
Indicator Applet:
Alt+Right-click an empty area of the panel (if you have Compiz effects enabled, then you will need to hold Alt+Super/Windows while right-clicking), choose Add to Panel, then drag Indicator Applet Complete to next to the clock in the system tray, or wherever you want to put it instead. The volume button will be restored, but as part of the Indicator Applet which also has a mail/message notifier for Evolution and messaging apps, as well as showing when other apps like Rhythmbox music player are open.
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Did this information make your day? Did it rescue you from hours of headache? Then please consider making a donation via PayPal, to buy me a donut, beer, or some fish’n’chips for my time and effort! Many thanks!
[…] like this and the 'fixes' are different depending on your Desktop Here's another tutorial: Restore Missing Volume Button to System Tray After Upgrade to Ubuntu 12.04 (Gnome 3 Classic/Fallback… The missing icon is called the Volume Indicator or Volume Notification __________________ . […]
Thanks, works like a charm!
Thank you… not your fault… but really, Alt-Win-Right Click? Hiding the volume in something called “Indicator”? What are the Gnome 3 UI designers smoking?
Yeah, I hear ya! Makes me wonder if any used to work at Microsoft…
Alt+Right-click an empty area of the panel does nothing in my system. The gnome-sound-applet is in my startup applications but still no volume button in my panel (and no sound either)
Are you, by chance, using Unity? If so, this guide is for Gnome 3 Classic, so is probably useless in Unity. If you’re using Classic, but have Compiz-Fusion desktop effects enabled (which Classic got back in the 12.04 upgrade), then you need Alt+Windows+Right-click, as outlined. As for no sound, chances are it’s just muted. Go to your System Settings and you’ll find the Sound app in there. You can then un-mute the volume. If you still have problems, feel free to ask, but give as much info as possible.
Nice. Thanks for posting this..
This is what I get in the terminal:
Gtk-Message: Not loading module “atk-bridge”: The functionality is provided by GTK natively. Please try to not load it.
(gnome-sound-applet:3331): sound-cc-panel-WARNING **: Applet is already running, exiting
what does it mean? i’ve just recently started using Ubuntu, so I don’t really know my way around..
What desktop are you using: Unity or Gnome Classic (or Gnome Shell)? Also, do you have KDE installed as well? Can’t find that exact error anywhere, but a similar issue was resolved by the user deactivating all sound notifications in KDE’s control panel, and all was fine back in Gnome. Otherwise, all the other related errors are filed as bug reports, and unfortunately at times that’s the only thing one can do to help rectify the problem (and I can’t stress enough filing bug reports actually helps achieve this). However, your error also mentions atk-bridge, and if you’re new, I doubt you have multiple desktops installed. So unfortunately it doesn’t look like I can offer much help here, other than to strongly suggest you join Bugzilla, and in the Gnome section file a bug report with as much info as possible (besides giving as much info about the error as possible, remember to give info like Ubuntu version, and whether your system is 64-bit). A heading incorporating the main parts of the error message would attract more attention (eg: “Not loading module “atk-bridge” gives gnome-sound-applet:3331 error & sound-cc-panel-WARNING“), and of course include the full error message in the body of the bug report.
Oh, one thing you can try first is open a terminal and try to kill the applet, which is apparently running, with: killall gnome-sound-applet, then try to run it again and see what happens.
It work like a breeze
On the Add New Items dialog, Indicator Applet is missing :(
Perfect!! Thanks a million :-)
I’ll never understand how you did it – but you did! Thanks very much.
Yeah, I dig around a lot, hehe. Glad I could be of service.
Volti. check that out, it’s quite sufficient for an old style up and down slider. Best solution I’ve found for this so far. Works like a charm, uses Alsa directly with or without Pulseaudio.
http://code.google.com/p/volti/
It’s in the Ubuntu repositories, I got the package in synaptic for Oneric, backported from Precise.
Reblogged this on anthonyvenable110.
bonjour,
J’ai un probleme similaire avec ubuntu 12.04.3 , impossible de retrouver cet applet de son ….Même en essayant les solutions que vous donner , merci si il y en a une autre , cordialement
Sorry, but I don’t speak French – if the article is in English, it’s safe to assume that is the language I speak.
hello, sorry I try to make a translate
I have a similar problem WITH Ubuntu 12.04.3 the latest version , under gnome , gnome no effect, gnome openbox , gnome classic, in fact any environnement to show in the windows where is the surround choice not Find THIS applet sound …. Even trying the solutions What you give, thank you if there is Another, cordially
OK, if you have Gnome Classic/Fallback, and you cannot find that applet (gnome-sound-applet), I am not sure what to offer you, except to suggest if you haven’t tried part 2 of that guide – Indicator Applet Complete – then try that. But I can’t see why you can’t find the first one – did you try sudo apt-get install gnome-sound-applet? Actually, I just tried that and was given the error: “E: Unable to locate package gnome-sound-applet” – even though it is installed and working fine. I have looked for a replacement package for gnome-sound-applet, but cannot find one. The only other info I can find is that Pulse Audio needs to be installed for the applet to work – but I gather you have Pulse on your system – and the only other thing I can offer is try removing (or just renaming) the .pulse folder in your Home folder – this has worked for some. If you find the answer, please feel free to come back here and share the info. All the best!