Learn Sandbox Stuck at 99% on Creating File Share

I have yet to be able to get a sandbox to work in any of the AZ-104 learn modules (or any, this is my first attempt at using the service.)

It inevitably sticks at 99% creating file share. I have tried the following:

Used Chrome, Used Chrome Incognito, Used Edge, Downloaded and installed Firefox and Opera and tried to use them, Tried Edge and Chrome on a separate device on an entirely different network at my employer's office, tried my existing personal account, tried my employer's account, created a brand new outlook.com e-mail with a brand new browser (Opera), signed out of these accounts and tried signing back in after a reboot, added a free subscription to my employer's e-mail account. In addition I have given over an hour waiting on 99% creating file share before closing a browser. Ultimately nothing I can do seems to impact the behavior of this sandbox, which is unfortunate as it was the main reason I wanted to try the learn modules.

It seems like this is something on the backend given the consistent reports of this behavior I have seen while searching for things to try that don't amount to clear cache/cookies or log out/log in again.

I was able to once have the sandbox function by loading a random module in an unrelated networking learning path but while that did activate when I went back to the modules I was working through it still would not allow me to use it - it did say I had used 1 of my daily allotment before trying to activate but otherwise no change.

Any tips here? If not, is there a way to have the learn modules use a sandbox from a free subscription since I have that setup now? Or will I just need to use that free subscription to perform the hands on practice the path lays out? (Not sure if this is entirely possible without incurring a fee.)