Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-19

How to Fix: Foobar playing too fast in linux wine (pulse audio alsa underrun error)

Foobar playback issues in Linux with Wine and Pulse Audio/ALSA underrun error.

Quick Answer: Check Foobar's buffer size settings, as high values can cause playback speed issues.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. ⚠️ Common Causes
  2. 🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes
  3. 🎯 Final Words

Foobar playing too fast in Linux with Wine (Pulse Audio ALSA underrun error) can be frustrating, especially when running multiple applications under heavy CPU and file transfer loads. This issue affects users who rely on Foobar for music playback and have not taken any measures to address it.

The rapid playback speed of Foobar can lead to a poor listening experience, making it difficult to enjoy music as intended. In this guide, we will explore the root causes of this error and provide two methods to fix it.

⚠️ Common Causes

  • The primary reason for this issue is that Pulse Audio ALSA underrun occurs when the audio buffer size is too small, causing Foobar to play music at an accelerated speed. This can happen due to various factors such as low system resources, high CPU usage, or inadequate audio settings.
  • Another possible cause of this error is that Wine's emulation of Windows may not be properly configured, leading to issues with audio playback. Additionally, some Linux distributions may have default settings that contribute to the underrun error.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Adjusting Pulse Audio ALSA Settings

  1. Step 1: Open the PulseAudio settings by running the command `pactl list sinks` and note down the current buffer size. Then, run the command `pactl set-sink-props buffer-size 1024' to increase the buffer size.
  2. Step 2: To ensure that Foobar uses the new buffer size, restart Foobar by running `sudo killall foobar && sudo foobar`. This will apply the changes made in the previous step.
  3. Step 3: Verify that the issue has been resolved by checking the playback speed of Foobar. If it still plays too fast, proceed to Method 2.

Configuring Wine's Audio Settings

  1. Step 1: Open Wine's configuration file by running `winecfg` and navigate to the 'Audio' tab.
  2. Step 2: Select 'DirectSound' as the audio driver and set the buffer size to at least 2048. You can also adjust other settings such as the sample rate or bit depth if necessary.
  3. Step 3: Restart Foobar by running `sudo killall foobar && sudo foobar` after making changes to Wine's configuration.

🎯 Final Words

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the Foobar playing too fast issue in Linux with Wine. Remember to restart Foobar and verify that the playback speed has been adjusted correctly. If you're still experiencing issues, consider seeking further assistance from a Linux expert or Wine community forums.

Did this fix your problem?

If not, try searching for specific error codes.

🔍 Search Error Database

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🛠️ Related Fixes

How to Fix: Pc crashes shortly after launching game (rainbow

Fix Pc crashes shortly after launching game (rainbow six siege). Compl

How to Fix: Installing an APK on a locked down phone

Installing an APK on a locked down phone: Try using a rooted device, e

How to Fix: New PC build- no signal and no clue

Fix New PC build- no signal and no clue. Complete troubleshooting guid