Suddenly unable to connect CEC from Viziotv to apple TV

Have had the same Apple 4K and Vizio V655-H19 for about two years. Always have been able to navigate the APPLE TV menu screens. Now suddenly about three weeks ago, unable to navigate with Vizio remote.

Assume is a change with CEC connection. The name of the Apple TV 4K (labeled Living Room) is now grayed out. See attached photos explained in last bullet list

• Replaced batteries on Vizio TV remote
• Recharged Apple TV remote
• Reset the Vizio TV per Vizio support NO CHANGE
• Tried using the manual remote setup on Apple TV menu (Still does not navigate or allow selection of any options, L,R, Up, Down, Back, etc.) NO CHANGE
• Can NOW only operate TV volume
• VIZIO suggests it is a problem with APPLE and never was able to navigate an apple TV menu. ( I GUESS THAT MAKES ME A LIAR OR MY WIFE AND I ARE BOTH WRONG.)
• Tried using a universal remote with no success. Could not connect to the Apple TV 4K. If there a a recommended button type remote for both Vizio TV and Apple TV, please advise? The slidey thing is not user friendly.
• CEC shows circled the grayed out text title living room. Also 2nd photo shows the icon that swirls for 1/2 a second and goes back to gray text
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