Where Are PulseAudio Config Files on Linux?
PulseAudio prefers per user config in ~/.config/pulse over /etc/pulse. Which files matter and the cookie.
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PulseAudio checks the per user directory first. If ~/.config/pulse/daemon.conf exists it wins over /etc/pulse/daemon.conf, same for client.conf and the .d drop in folders. That split lets one user retune sampling without touching system defaults.
The other files in there earn their keep: default.pa for the startup script, cookie for server authentication, and card database state. Copying a whole ~/.config/pulse between machines carries stale card profiles, so prefer moving just the .conf edits you made deliberately.
Where PulseAudio stores this, by platform
~/.config/pulse
Per user daemon.conf, client.conf, default.pa, and cookie. Present files shadow /etc/pulse twins. Restart the server (pulseaudio -k) after edits so the daemon rereads them.
Frequently asked questions
how do i enable surround sound in pulseaudio
Edit default-sample-channels in daemon.conf (per user copy above or /etc/pulse/daemon.conf), uncomment it, and set 6 or 8. Then restart PulseAudio. Per user file is the safer edit since package updates can replace the system one.
what is the pulseaudio cookie file
The auth token at ~/.config/pulse/cookie that clients present to the daemon. Permission errors after home restores usually trace to its ownership. Keep it user read only; never share it across trust boundaries.
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