Windows 10: Stereo mix start working only after i open the control panel

So my stereo mix I set up to take the sound from my main speakers and play them on the television connected through an HDMI cable. The television is not always on. So I watch some YouTube videos and decide to continue watching on the television. I turn on the TV and the audio ain't working. I open the control panel for sound and stereo mix magically starts playing the desired audio without me actually doing anything. I have tried waiting to no avail, setting stereo mix as the default input device is not an option because I need my mic to work.

:)

 

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.

 

No Stereo Mix In Sound Control Panel

I have two laptops, one about 4 years old, PC Specialist, the other a Lenovo Thinkpad. 3+ years old. Both at 1809.

On the first I see Stereo Mix (and in Sound)



- the second, not. That has Realtek 6.0.1.8224 - later version, FWIW.

 

No Stereo Mix In Sound Control Panel

Hi, this discussion may be of interest:
Stereo Mix no longer appears.
More:
I don't have Stereo Mix after upgrading Win 7 to Win 10

and see this (Ok, it's Lenovo, but seems general- comment right at end)
Stereo-mix and microphone playback functions have changed on new model systems - ThinkPad - US

Another option: VB Audio Cable:
How To: Install & Setup Stereo Mix / "What You Hear" - On Windows 10