New Siri Remote 2021 stopped changing TV volume

Team, out of nowhere a few days ago my Living Room Apple TV June 2021 with new Siri remote just stopped changing the volume of my Samsung TV and has been fine all along for over a year. Nothing has changed, no power outages, all devices up to date including Apple TV and Samsung TV. All other functions on Silver Siri remote 2021 work perfectly, I just cannot change my TV volume up or down. Could the recent firmware update for the remote be the culprit? https://www.macrumors.com/2022/07/05/siri-remote-firmware-update/

I have even reset my Samsung TV back to factory settings, I have unplugged the Apple TV, I have unplugged the HDMI cable from both the TV and the Apple TV.... nothing. I have double checked all Settings on Samsung and Apple TV for this: If you can't control your TV or receiver with your Apple TV Remote - Apple Support and still nothing. The only thing I have not done is erase the Apple TV and set up as new for fear of having to redownload everything and sign into all Apps once again. Too much of a pain for that.

Thanks in advance for any advice anyone can lend!