Win 11 does not recognize internal speakers

I am setting up a plain vanilla Surface Pro 8 for my spouse. Among the many "interesting" issues is the fact that the internal speakers (the only available speakers) are not enabled. There is no way to see them, and when I try to add I get the IPhone for every user in the building, and even my glucose monitor!! Nothing, however, for internal speakers!

Sometimes they do work (anecdotally).

How can I get them reconnected. I've tried most of the suggestions that I've found by Googling this issue, but I think a bit of more coherent explanation would be a good thing.

1) How can Microsoft release a new OS with this degree of sloppiness in its internals? (Yes, I know, but it really gets me)
2) How do I re-enable a device that isn't listed?
3) Why are internal speakers using bluetooth to connect? Spectrum is not an unlimited resource - and I don't want to share my speakers with the neighbors!

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Tony

Sorry to be obtuse here, but I've never dealt with a Surface. Are you saying that the internal speakers are bluetooth? I've never heard of such. Guess I'm behind in the times.
Try running Surface Diagnostic Toolkit. I think you get it in MS store.

I have seen when Windows Update replaces drivers in tablets to lose the touch functionality or the audio or wi-fi etc. To fix this you must download and install latest drivers directly from Microsoft. If you can download the drivers separately (rather than the whole package), install the chipset (platform) drivers to replace all lost functionality. If Windows Update tries to replace your driver again, use the Windows Update Show/Hide Tool to hide (block) any driver updates.

My spec shows my external speakers as default which I what I want. There are monitor speakers but after my last experience with naff sound on monitor, I waver to external. Now I stay there (and headphones on speaker plug ins)