[BUG] No sound card on Dell Pro Max 14 Premium MA14250 (ARL-H, CS42L43 l0 + 4x CS35L56 l23): BIOS declares no SDCA mic function, mic DAI is dropped, monolithic topology fails on Capture-SmartMic

[neattoy4080]

Summary

On kernel 7.1.x the sof_sdw card never registers on this Dell laptop, so the internal speakers, headphone jack and microphones are all missing. Only the NVIDIA HDMI HDA card exists.

The chain, verified against the 7.1 source:

1. The BIOS SDCA properties for the CS42L43 declare only a UAJ (type 6) and a HID (type 10) function. No SmartMic/SimpleMic/SpeakerMic function is declared. NHLT reports 0 PCH DMICs.
2. is_sdca_endpoint_present() in sound/soc/sdw_utils/soc_sdw_utils.c therefore skips the cs42l43-dp1 (SOC_SDW_DAI_TYPE_MIC) endpoint, so no Capture-SmartMic DAI link is created.
3. The ACPI match entry for sof-arl-cs42l43-l0-cs35l56-l23.tplg sets .get_function_tplg_files = sof_sdw_get_tplg_files, so function topologies are tried first. NHLT also advertises a BT offload SSP link (bt_link_mask 0x4), so create_bt_dailinks() adds SSP2-BT. sof_sdw_get_tplg_files() has no fragment for that link name and, since best_effort is false (the topology name is not dummy), returns 0 and falls back to the monolithic topology. All the split topologies that would have been needed (sof-sdca-jack-id0, sof-sdca-*amp-id2, sof-hdmi-pcm5-id*) are present on disk.
4. The monolithic sof-arl-cs42l43-l0-cs35l56-l23.tplg (sof-bin v2025.12.2, built with SDW_DMIC=1) hard-requires the Capture-SmartMic stream, so topology load fails with -22 and snd_soc_register_card fails.

So on this platform there is currently no combination that can produce a card: the monolithic topology always needs the codec mic, and the kernel always drops the codec mic based on the BIOS SDCA data.

Note: the same model is reported working on Ubuntu's linux-oem 6.17 kernel (https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/2132259, internal speakers OK, same topology file name), which suggests a regression somewhere between 6.17 and 7.1, possibly in how completely the SDCA function list of this BIOS is now parsed. I have not bisected this.

System

Item	Value
Machine	Dell Inc. Dell Pro Max 14 Premium MA14250, board 085XPR rev A00, DMI_PRODUCT_SKU 0D32
BIOS	1.9.0 (2026-03-31), latest per LVFS
Audio controller	Intel Core Ultra 200H Series HD Audio 8086:7728, subsystem 1028:0d32, driver sof-audio-pci-intel-mtl
SoundWire peripherals	link 0: CS42L43 (sdw:0:0:01fa:4243:01); link 2: 2x CS35L56 (01fa:3556, uid 2 and 3); link 3: 2x CS35L56 (uid 0 and 1)
NHLT	BT link mask 0x4, DMICs 0
Kernel	Fedora 44, 7.1.8-200.fc44.x86_64 (also broken on 7.1.6, 7.1.7); no relevant changes in 7.1.y up to 7.1.13
SOF firmware	alsa-sof-firmware-2025.12.2-1.fc44 (sof-bin v2025.12.2), booted firmware 2.14.1.1
Topology	intel/sof-ipc4-tplg/sof-arl-cs42l43-l0-cs35l56-l23.tplg, ABI 3:29:1 (kernel ABI 3:23:1)
alsa-ucm	1.2.16.1
PipeWire / WirePlumber	1.6.8 / 0.5.14
/proc/asound/cards	only 0 [NVidia]: HDA-Intel - HDA NVidia

dmesg (audio-related lines, one boot)

snd_hda_intel 0000:00:1f.3: SoundWire enabled on CannonLake+ platform, using SOF driver
sof-audio-pci-intel-mtl 0000:00:1f.3: enabling device (0000 -> 0002)
sof-audio-pci-intel-mtl 0000:00:1f.3: DSP detected with PCI class/subclass/prog-if 0x040100
sof-audio-pci-intel-mtl 0000:00:1f.3: bound 0000:00:02.0 (ops intel_audio_component_bind_ops [i915])
sof-audio-pci-intel-mtl 0000:00:1f.3: use msi interrupt mode
acpi device:2b: SDCA function UAJ (type 6) at 0x3
acpi device:2c: SDCA function HID (type 10) at 0x4
acpi device:27: SDCA function SmartAmp (type 1) at 0x1
acpi device:29: SDCA function SmartAmp (type 1) at 0x1
acpi device:23: SDCA function SmartAmp (type 1) at 0x1
acpi device:25: SDCA function SmartAmp (type 1) at 0x1
sof-audio-pci-intel-mtl 0000:00:1f.3: hda codecs found, mask 4
sof-audio-pci-intel-mtl 0000:00:1f.3: NHLT device BT(0) detected, ssp_mask 0x4
sof-audio-pci-intel-mtl 0000:00:1f.3: BT link detected in NHLT tables: 0x4
sof-audio-pci-intel-mtl 0000:00:1f.3: DMICs detected in NHLT tables: 0
sof-audio-pci-intel-mtl 0000:00:1f.3: Firmware paths/files for ipc type 1:
sof-audio-pci-intel-mtl 0000:00:1f.3:  Firmware file:     intel/sof-ipc4/arl/sof-arl.ri
sof-audio-pci-intel-mtl 0000:00:1f.3:  Firmware lib path: intel/sof-ipc4-lib/arl
sof-audio-pci-intel-mtl 0000:00:1f.3:  Topology file:     function topologies
sof-audio-pci-intel-mtl 0000:00:1f.3: Loaded firmware library: ADSPFW, version: 2.14.1.1
sof-audio-pci-intel-mtl 0000:00:1f.3: Booted firmware version: 2.14.1.1
cs42l43 sdw:0:0:01fa:4243:01: devid: 0x042a43, rev: 0xa1, otp: 0x03
cs35l56 sdw:0:3:01fa:3556:01:1: Cirrus Logic CS35L56 Rev B0 OTP3 fw:3.4.4 (patched=0)
cs35l56 sdw:0:2:01fa:3556:01:3: Cirrus Logic CS35L56 Rev B0 OTP3 fw:3.4.4 (patched=0)
cs35l56 sdw:0:3:01fa:3556:01:0: Cirrus Logic CS35L56 Rev B0 OTP3 fw:3.4.4 (patched=0)
cs35l56 sdw:0:2:01fa:3556:01:2: Cirrus Logic CS35L56 Rev B0 OTP3 fw:3.4.4 (patched=0)
sof-audio-pci-intel-mtl 0000:00:1f.3: loading topology: intel/sof-ipc4-tplg/sof-arl-cs42l43-l0-cs35l56-l23.tplg
sof-audio-pci-intel-mtl 0000:00:1f.3: Topology: ABI 3:29:1 Kernel ABI 3:23:1
sof-audio-pci-intel-mtl 0000:00:1f.3: error: can't connect DAI alh-copier.Capture-SmartMic.0 stream Capture-SmartMic
sof-audio-pci-intel-mtl 0000:00:1f.3: failed to add widget type 29 name : alh-copier.Capture-SmartMic.0 stream Capture-SmartMic
sof_sdw sof_sdw: ASoC: failed to load widget alh-copier.Capture-SmartMic.0
sof_sdw sof_sdw: ASoC: topology: could not load header: -22
sof-audio-pci-intel-mtl 0000:00:1f.3: tplg intel/sof-ipc4-tplg/sof-arl-cs42l43-l0-cs35l56-l23.tplg component load failed -22
sof-audio-pci-intel-mtl 0000:00:1f.3: error: failed to load DSP topology -22
sof-audio-pci-intel-mtl 0000:00:1f.3: ASoC error (-22): at snd_soc_component_probe() on 0000:00:1f.3
sof_sdw sof_sdw: ASoC: failed to instantiate card -22
sof_sdw sof_sdw: error -EINVAL: snd_soc_register_card failed -22
sof_sdw sof_sdw: probe with driver sof_sdw failed with error -22

The "Failed to open topology file" warning from sof_sdw_get_tplg_files() does not appear, and every split topology it would ask for exists in /lib/firmware/intel/sof-ipc4-tplg/ (sof-sdca-jack-id0, sof-sdca-1amp..4amp-id2, sof-sdca-mic-id4, sof-hdmi-pcm5-id2..7), so the fallback to the monolithic file is the return 0 on the unsupported SSP2-BT dai link, not a missing file.

Additional facts

• ACPI child nodes under the CS42L43 (\_SB_.PC00.HDAS.IDA_.SNDW.SWD6): only AF3B (_ADR 0x3, UAJ) and AF04 (_ADR 0x4, HID). The codec exposes dp1_src .. dp4_src and dp5_sink/dp6_sink ports.
• SKU 0D32 is not in sof_sdw_quirk_table or sof_sdw_ssid_quirk_table (7.1 and current mainline).
• Module parameters are at defaults (disable_function_topology=N, tplg_filename unset, no snd_soc_sof_sdw.quirk).
• Same failure on every boot since at least 2026-08-24, kernels 7.1.6, 7.1.7 and 7.1.8.
• Mainline master (checked 2026-09-03) still has the same is_sdca_endpoint_present() logic, the same non-best-effort return 0 in sof_sdw_get_tplg_files() for SSP*-BT, and no 0D32 quirk, so I would not expect 7.2/7.3 to behave differently.
• I have not tested any workaround (for example forcing the best-effort function-topology path) and am reporting the unmodified system.

Possible fixes (for discussion)

• Keep the CS42L43 mic DAI on this SKU, either via a quirk for Dell 0D32 or by not letting the SDCA function list override the native cs42l43 driver's DAI set when the BIOS omits the mic function.
• Alternatively, let sof_sdw_get_tplg_files() tolerate the SSP*-BT link (treat it as best-effort) so a card can be built from the split topologies without the codec mic.
• Or ship a monolithic sof-arl-cs42l43-l0-cs35l56-l23 variant without SDW_DMIC, selected when no mic function is present.

I can provide alsa-info, an acpidump, and test patches on this machine on request.

[rfvirgil]

@bardliao Do you know what is happening here? This model was previously tested with this same topology file without throwing this error. So it seems something has changed so it now fails to connect the unused SmartMic route instead of ignoring it.

[rfvirgil]

@neattoy4080 It looks like you disabled mics in your BIOS. Did you intend to do that?
Under "Integrated Devices" check the "Enable Microphone" checkbox.

[charleskeepax]

Hmm... this is a bit odd we have one of the 16" version here with the same bios version:

[ 0.000000] DMI: Dell Inc. Dell Pro Max 16 Premium MA16250/, BIOS 1.9.0 03/31/2026

And we do have a SmartMic in the BIOS:

[ 34.219437] acpi device:2c: SDCA function SmartMic (type 3) at 0x2
[ 34.219450] acpi device:2d: SDCA function UAJ (type 6) at 0x3
[ 34.219456] acpi device:2e: SDCA function HID (type 10) at 0x4
[ 34.220136] acpi device:28: SDCA function SmartAmp (type 1) at 0x1
[ 34.220487] acpi device:2a: SDCA function SmartAmp (type 1) at 0x1
[ 34.220988] acpi device:24: SDCA function SmartAmp (type 1) at 0x1
[ 34.221316] acpi device:26: SDCA function SmartAmp (type 1) at 0x1

I believe there is a BIOS option to disable the mic, something like: Integrated Devices -> Audio -> Enable Microphone

Can you check if you have that check box enabled, and if not enable it and retest?

[neattoy4080]

I have got mics disabled, would that stop the sound card from working. I will enable it later to check. Won’t be until this evening (6 - 7hours)

…

On Fri, 4 Sep 2026, at 15:16, Charles Keepax wrote: *charleskeepax* left a comment (thesofproject/linux#5916) <#5916 (comment)> Hmm... this is a bit odd we have one of the 16" version here with the same bios version: [ 0.000000] DMI: Dell Inc. Dell Pro Max 16 Premium MA16250/, BIOS 1.9.0 03/31/2026 And we do have a SmartMic in the BIOS: [ 34.219437] acpi device:2c: SDCA function SmartMic (type 3) at 0x2 [ 34.219450] acpi device:2d: SDCA function UAJ (type 6) at 0x3 [ 34.219456] acpi device:2e: SDCA function HID (type 10) at 0x4 [ 34.220136] acpi device:28: SDCA function SmartAmp (type 1) at 0x1 [ 34.220487] acpi device:2a: SDCA function SmartAmp (type 1) at 0x1 [ 34.220988] acpi device:24: SDCA function SmartAmp (type 1) at 0x1 [ 34.221316] acpi device:26: SDCA function SmartAmp (type 1) at 0x1 I believe there is a BIOS option to disable the mic, something like: Integrated Devices -> Audio -> Enable Microphone Can you check if you have that check box enabled, and if not enable it and retest? — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#5916?email_source=notifications&email_token=BYQAW4IUO4AZ4YPYMI3YJYL5NLFFJA5CNFSNUABFM5UWIORPF5TWS5BNNB2WEL2JONZXKZKDN5WW2ZLOOQXTKNJUGE3TENRZHA22M4TFMFZW63VHNVSW45DJN5XKKZLWMVXHJLDGN5XXIZLSL5RWY2LDNM#issuecomment-5541726985>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/BYQAW4INDOR3QA4MK4KAY7T5NLFFJAVCNFSNUABFKJSXA33TNF2G64TZHMYTGNJWGEYTCMRXHNEXG43VMU5TKMZUGIZDSNJUG42KC5QC>. Triage notifications, keep track of coding agent tasks and review pull requests on the go with GitHub Mobile for iOS <https://github.com/notifications/mobile/ios/BYQAW4NZ3XAOA35G2KGZYCL5NLFFJA5CNFSNUABFM5UWIORPF5TWS5BNNB2WEL2JONZXKZKDN5WW2ZLOOQXTKNJUGE3TENRZHA22M4TFMFZW63VHNVSW45DJN5XKKZLWMVXHJKTGN5XXIZLSL5UW64Y> and Android <https://github.com/notifications/mobile/android/BYQAW4MCQWX6HNETWH36HAL5NLFFJA5CNFSNUABFM5UWIORPF5TWS5BNNB2WEL2JONZXKZKDN5WW2ZLOOQXTKNJUGE3TENRZHA22M4TFMFZW63VHNVSW45DJN5XKKZLWMVXHJLTGN5XXIZLSL5QW4ZDSN5UWI>. Download it today! You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[charleskeepax]

I suspect that is causing the problems, would be better if that worked as well but re-enabling them I think will get you going for now. You mentioned things working on an earlier kernel, is that something you have actually tested (still with the mics disabled)?

[neattoy4080]

Confirmed: enabling the microphone in the BIOS (Integrated Devices -> Enable Microphone) brought the whole card back on 7.1.x: speakers, headphone jack and mics all working. Thank you both.

On the earlier-kernel point: I have not tested it myself. That came from Launchpad bug 2132259, which reports the Ubuntu 24.04 OEM 6.17 kernel working on this model, and I do not know what that reporter's BIOS mic setting was.

Happy to leave this open for the "mics disabled should not remove all audio" case, and to test a patch on this machine if that helps.