music - can't authorize computer (says already have 5. except i don't). settings shows 2 authorized for same apple id...

Somehow the laptop I use all the time is no longer authorized to play content on my apple ID from TV or Music apps. I tried to authorize it (again) and got the "you already have 5 authorized computers" error. Odd, because it should only be 2 computers. I check the account settings in apple music, and it says 2 computers are authorized. I try to deauthorize this main computer and it says i can only do that from an authorized computer. I try to authorize the computer and get the "you already have 5 authorized computers" error. lather, rinse, repeat.

I dusted of my other authorized computer (an ancient MBP) and it is having power manager issues making it run REALLY slow. I have not been able to log in to account settings in either Music or TV on this old computer. Or to deauthorize it.

On the main (problem) computer, I have rebooted, installed the latest software and system updates, logged out and logged back in without keeping windows and apps open, rebooted without keeping windows and apps open, and checked my authorized computers on appleid.com (there it shows correctly 2 authorized computers and a handful of iOS devices).

The main (problem) computer is a 16-in m1 max mbp running Sonoma 14.4 (23E214) with 64 GB RAM and 4TB HD. Is this a known thing and I just haven't been able to locate the correct fix article, or will I need to reach out to the mother ship?