no, thanks, i want to fix it without rebooting as i have mentioned
UPDATE: this command seems to show processes using pulse audio: sudo fuser -vu /dev/snd/* /dev/snd/by-path/*
the numbers are PIDs, to kill the process run command: sudo kill -9 PIDHERE
In my case i fixed this sound issue by killing mine installed audio players: echo "mplayers killing";sudo kill -9 $(pidof vlc gnome-mplayer mplayer baka-mplayer) 2>/dev/null;echo "done"
I’ve marked this answer as the solution to your question as it is by far the best answer you’ll get.
However, if you disagree with my choice, please feel free to take any other answer as the solution to your question or even remove the solution altogether: You are in control! (If you disagree with my choice, just send me a personal message and explain why I shouldn’t have done this or or if you agree)
P.S. In the future, please don’t forget to come back to your question after your issue has been solved and click the 3 dots below the answer to mark a solution like this below the answer that helped you most:
so that the next person that has the exact same problem you just had will benefit from your post as well as your question will now be in the “solved” status.
or 
if you agree)
