CEC being on isn’t the issue, it’s on. Everything is set right on the tv and I’ve tried multiple hdmi cables and two different Apple TVs and on two different TVs. The only way it works so far is when I connect the AppleTV to my Devon stereo and then run an hdmi to the tv from the stereo. But I only have the stereo in one room and I need the AppleTV in the other room to work properly as well without buying another receiver. The tv that’s the main issues has never been connected to the receiver. If I connect either AppleTV to the other tv directly I also have the same issue. Both work fine with the actually AppleTV remote and I don’t believe either are using IR (not 100% on that but one of them it’s in the basement so I highly doubt it would work on IR anyway)
It does work sometimes though. The appleTV supports this functionality.