Play button greyed out?

im not able to start recording at all when I’m only trying to record desktop audio. I have tried changing the host, loopback and recording options and resetting configuration. I have managed to record successfully once before, when the host was set to wasabi and both recording and playback to headphones (loopback).

I’m not very good with tech + there is a language barrier, so this may sound silly. Could anyone help me?

Play button is grey if there is no audio in Audacity to play.
Also Play button grey if you are recording, or paused recording.
Have to stop recording for play button to work.