Apple TV is unresponsive to remote

Suddenly, my apple tv remote does not seem to be able to control my apple tv (4th gen). The apple tv app on my phone works fine, and my apple tv remote can still control the volume, but the other buttons don't seem to do anything. I cannot get the led light to flash for any of the buttons. I have tried plugging it in thinking that maybe it did not have enough power to fully communicate with the apple tv, but it doesn't seem to have helped. I have also restarted the apple tv multiple times. I cannot get the apple tv to come on without unplugging it, and plugging it back in. (normally i press any button on the remote and it wakes up). is there any work arounds to fix this? does my remote have an issue even though it can still control the volume?