Did anyone try the setting for "when laptop lid closes" set to "do nothing"? I've always used that on a half dozen Windows laptops over the years and never seen it not work. Even if sleep is finicky, that will just make it stay fully running. If you want it to sleep, do that separately from the start menu or whatever, don't tie the sleep state to the lid state.

I always set it just the opposite, close the lid and it shuts down completely.

Untying the sleep state to the lid can still be the advantage even if the full power state takes it place.

I’ve been taught through years of people closing the lid of my laptop that “do nothing” is the right setting to use.

I've done that too, just don't put it back in the briefcase without checking if it's still running first :)