I still don’t get all the comments saying that sound in Linux is so touchy - this is the first time we’ve ever had a problem with it...
To be fair, I have not had problems with Linux sound in at least a few years. But my environment is not typical. Most of my Linux machines are virtual, meaning that the VM sound output goes to its hypervisor host and then to the outside world. I have recently installed Ubuntu 24 directly on an HP laptop, but I have not really done anything with the sound on that machine yet. I guess I will find out, hopefully a pleasant experience.