Difficulty connecting my laptop to my television

Good evening everyone :)

First off, I am going to pre-apologize if I sound vague in any form. Not entirely positive how to exactly describe what's happening/ask the question I need to, but I will do my best.

I have a Sony 4K television. When I switch inputs, it seems to not want to 'activate' the input until it is receiving a signal (a little box appears next to HDMI 1/2/3/4 etc to let me know something is plugged in). For example, if I switch to my PS4 input before turning it on, there is no "something is plugged into this input" icon.

Now, I have connected my laptop to the TV, while it is on, and have not seen any "connected" icon. I have tried every option in the 'project' side menu that pops up (extend, duplicate, second only), nothing happens. No error message, the side menu stays on the screen, just nothing happens.

Troubleshooting I have done:
- rebooted while plugged into the tv
- tested the tv inputs with other devices
- tried the other inputs with the laptop
- tried it on another TV (RCA 32" basic LED) ...worked like a charm
- googling: only results I see are 'help laptop doesn't work' 'try jiggling cable' 'works now lawl'

Any input would be greatly appreciated

@spunk I didn't even think about checking out a Sony forum for that lol. I just have always got great information here, you all are the first people I turn to. I will check all those things you mentioned, thank you for the tips!