Plug the laptop's cable into the TV with the TV turned on and see if it's detected as an audio output device. If it isn't, Right-click on the Start button. Choose "Device Manager." Go to Audio Inputs and Outputs, right click on it and choose "Scan for hardware changes." You might need to try a different HDMI cable too. Also, check your TVs settings to make sure that it's inputting audio from the HDMI input and not just video.

Once the TV is detected as a sound output device: How to switch sound from Windows PC to TV via HDMI cable

 

Yeah, indeed the problem is that the TV is NOT being detected as an output device. I will try the things you mention here, thanks for the suggestions.

 

With the HDMI cable plugged in to the TV and the laptop, showing the Laptop Windows Desktop,
Click the Volume Icon in the lower right corner by the clock
On the Volume slider, go to the Right Arrow on the far right and click it.
This should give you list of Sound Output Devices.
Select the TV/HDMI Speakers as the Output Sound device

 

As I said in my post, the TV is NOT being recognized as an output device and is not there to select (only my laptop speakers show up on the output device)

 

Make sure you are using an HDMI cable with ARC capabilities

HDMI cables buying guide

How to choose the right cables to connect your gear

www.crutchfield.com

Here are some other suggestions

HDMI Audio device not detected in Windows 11

If your HDMI Audio device is not detected in Windows 11/10, and you see No HDMI Audio device is detected error, then this post will help fix the issue.

www.thewindowsclub.com

 

I'm pretty sure this is the exact same HDMI cable I used before when it DID work. I will double-check that though.

 

You can always get another one, just to eliminate the cable in your troubleshooting.

 

try steaming