HDMI ARC connection issue between Sony TV and sound bar

[Jason-T1969]

Hi all, please help to point me to any further solutions I have not tried below;

I have a Sony TV connected to a soundbar - been working perfectly for the last 2.5 years until last weekend when I needed to disconnect them to move them for a carpet to be laid. They were disconnected for 1 day and now the sound bar will not connect to the Sony TV.

I tried these options;

Ensured TV and soundbar have latest software updates.

I purchased a new HDMI cable from soundbar company in case there was an issue with the old one.

I disconnected the 2 devices and also unplugged from wall socket for 2 minutes (have also tried 10 minutes) then tried to reconnect.

I have reset the soundbar. I have factory reset the Sony TV.
I used the TV external device set up to connect to the soundbar.

I used the soundbar TV set up option in the soundbar app to connect the soundbar to the TV.

Ensured no other devices were connected to the HDMI ports.

I cleared the cache in the external input services menu in TV see all apps option.

I made sure I was using the ARC/eARC HDMI port.

Settings on TV;

Bravia synch control : ON

Auto devices: ON

Auto TV On: ON

Bravia sync device list: note the list does NOT include the soundbar and despite clicking ENABLE option to send message to the soundbar it will still not show the device

Display and Sound menu: Audio Output; Audio speakers

Audio system prioritisation: ON

Sound mode sync: ON

A/V Sync: ON

eARC: ON or Auto

Digital Auto: 1

Dolby: Dolby Digital Plus

Pass through: have tried Auto and OFF

Basically it seems the HDMI port does not register a device being connected in the Bravia sync device list when the soundbar is connected.

Any suggestions on additional solutions would be greatly appreciated