iPad Air Swipe to Closing apps Unreliable in Landscape

[PIX]

I purchased an iPad Air4 two weeks ago. I really like this replacement for my iPad6 but one gripe I have is swiping up to close apps is inconsistent. Sometime it works with a light swipe or I have to press hard or on an angle. It's much worse when I use it to read in bed while in portrait position but locked in landscape with my head to the side. Portrait mode seems to work OK. I don't know if this is an iPadOS 15.xx issue -didn't test Air with iPadOS 14.xx. Swiping to close on my iPhone has never been an issue. Even my iPad6 allows swiping to close though I usually use the button. Sometime I miss the home button. Anyone else experience this issue? Does this look like a situation that requires an erase and restore?