Windows 10: Stereo mix not picking up any sound

After clearing two google pages of google forum posts it has became clear to me that this is a very common problem, but the common fixes aren't working for me.
I want to use stereo mix to output my sound to two different headsets simultaneously, by using "listen to device" on stereo mix, with it outputting stereo mix to the second headset. This is beside the point however as stereo mix is quite simply not picking up any sound.

I have:
-updated realtek audio drivers
-set the correct device as default it already was
-gone into realtek driver settings and changed the playback settings

-cried


Below are screenshots of my sound control panel.

Playback disconnected & disabled hidden



Recording disconnected & disabled hidden



My headset is quite unique in that it has two separate audio devices, one for communication apps and the other for everything else - but I'm not interested in stereo mix picking up the chat. The problem is Stereo Mix is just not picking up any sound whatsoever, the green volume bar never shows there being any sound.

:)

 

No Stereo Mix In Sound Control Panel

I used to be able to select Stereo Mix under the Recording tab in the Sound control panel but it's no longer there. I checked to be sure all devices, including disabled ones, are displayed, but that wasn't the problem. I also checked to be sure I'm running the latest drivers. I'm using a new laptop and it has more audio devices than my old laptop, so I'm not sure if this impacts the situation. All are working properly, according to the device manager. Just to be sure, I went to Realtek's website and downloaded the latest version for my x64 system and installed it. The result was no sound at all (EEK!), so I did a driver rollback and things went back to the way they were - normal audio, but still no stereo mix.
I also checked the sound section under System Settings. When I click the popup menu under input, Microphone Array is the only option listed there. I did a little research and saw something about Microsoft intentionally removing the Stereo Mix/Wave Out Mix option from its drivers. I'm running the latest May 2019 update, so perhaps this is the case?
My ultimate goal is to use the Snagit screen capture utility to record a a video (with sound) of a game I'm playing so I can send to a friend. Snagit is configured properly, but it still captures the microphone input - as well as some kind of distortion. Audio from the microphone is also poor. I know there are workarounds, such as Virtual Audio Cable and Stereo Mix Plus, but I don't know about the bona fides of these apps and I'd prefer to solve the problem with my existing software/drivers - if that's possible. If not, I'll consider workarounds. Anyone have any ideas? TIA for any help.
Apologies if this is a duplicate post. I did a search for "stereo mix" and found nothing.

 

Windows 10 Stereo Mix

Hi Nicholas,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

Sorry for the inconvenience caused.

I suggest you to follow the methods below and check if it helps:

Method 1:

Try the following steps to enable the stereo mix and check if that help.



a) Right click on the audio icon in your system tray and select “Recording Devices” to open the Recording device settings in the “Sound” window.



b) In the pane, right-click on a blank area, and make sure both “View Disabled Devices” and “View Disconnected Devices” options are checked. You should be able to see the “Stereo Mix” option appearing.



c) Right-click on “Stereo Mix” and click “Enable” to be able to use it.



This should enable the “Stereo Mix” on Windows



Method 2:

If the issue persists then I suggest you to uninstall and reinstall the sounds card driver and check if it helps.

• 
  Right Click on Start, Select Device Manager.
  
• 
  Find and double-click the category of device whose driver you wish to uninstall.
  
• 
  Right-click the device, and click Uninstall.
  
• 
  Windows will prompt you to confirm the device’s removal. Click
  OK to remove the driver.
  
• 
  After the uninstallation is complete, reboot your computer as soon as possible
  

Hope the above information helps. Reply with necessary information and the result to help you further. Thank you.

 

Stereo mix stopped working

So I record with an elgato HD60 but in order to get the sound to work I have to use stereo mix and that's what I do but for some reason it just stopped picking up sound! I have tried so many websites and forums but nothing what do I do? (stereo mix still
can play sound like if I play music directly to stereo mix but I want it to pick up the computer audio)