Linux works if you're not trying to substitute windows. Windows is like a Toyota camary. Linux is a pile of parts that can be build into a tank. Stick with a simple windows manager like i3 and learn to use dmenu and pulseaudio, and you'll fine. The further you get into other DEs, the more you're rely on random developers and commits to get things working, and they're not always moving in the same direction. This results in all sorts of fuckery.

Also stick with what's stable, e.g. x11, alsa or pulse, etc. The problem is that a lot of DEs are pushing wayland and pipewire, which aren't mature, and then wondering why people don't want to use Linux.