Samsung Keeps Losing eARC Connection To Onkyo

Hi everyone! Long time lurker, first time stereo owner [in the last 10-20 years].

I recently picked up some equipment through a few local trades. I planned to resell it, but decided to set things up to test and may be hooked. Problem is, my Samsung television seems to always lose the eARC connection the receiver. I'm wondering if I have some settings incorrect within either the TV or receiver that someone can better educate me on.

Equipment

• Screen: Samsung Q900TS
• Receiver: Onkyo TX-NR696
• External Media Boxes: One Xfinity cable box, one Xbox Series X

Connections

• Xbox Series X is connected to TV through HDMI 4 (only 2.1 port on panel).

• Samsung and Onkyo are connected via TV HDMI 3 (only eARC. channel) to Onkyo's main HDMI out.

• Cable box is connected via HDMI to the Onkyo.

System works as expected when set up this way for 3-7 days, after which I find myself being unable to get Xbox audio through the receiver (I thought this should work through eARC). After those 3-7 days, I find myself changing every last CEC and eARC setting on the TV and receiver, and finally resorting to resetting both TV and receiver. After a reset, everythign works great (for up to a week).

Multiple kids (and kids friends) have their paws all over the stuff during the week which has made troubleshooting difficult.

Anyone have a specific idea as to why eARC may suddenly stop functioning?