Xbox Series X controller often not recognised on Forza Horizon 4

Hi. I'd be hugely grateful for any assistance with an ongoing issue that I often experience with Forza Horizon 4 on Series X.

When I start up the game I often experience a controller problem where I can initially skip the first intro screen (the video of the speedometer) by pressing A on the controller. However once I hit the next video (the main driving intro video) the controller
becomes completely unresponsive in Forza Horizon 4.

The X button on the controller takes me back to the Home screen where full controller use returns. I can then play any other game without issue even without restarting, so the issue seems linked to FH4 specifically. If I jump back into FH4 after being on
the Home screen it always informs me that the controller has been disconnected even though that is not the case. I can still return to the Home screen as this point using the X button on the controller.

Through Xbox Gamer chat assistance I did initially have a temporary fix but it was frustrating to constantly have to repeat and this method has unfortunately now stopped resolving the issue (Settings > General > Network Settings > Advanced Settings > Alternate
MAC Address > Clear and Restart). This fix originally only worked where I first quit the game by selecting quit on the Home screen.

At least from the selection of games that I've played, FH4 is the only game where I experience this issue. I have also deleted and reinstalled the game in full and checked that my controller Firmware is up to date but neither has resolved the problem. The
only other thing potentially worth mentioning is that I originally played the game on disc, then bought all of the digital DLC, and then replaced the main game itself with a digital copy. However I didn't experience any issues on the One X.

If there's a permanent fix I'd love to know it.

Thanks for your time.

:)