iPhone SE 2020 (iOS 16.1) NFC reader not working

My phone is about 2.5 years old, and in that time the NFC reader has worked without problems. But recently my phone stopped being able to read NFC chips - such as wireless payment. I've tried to remove the cover, which doesn't work. I've also done a forced restart, updated to the newest iOS (16.1) and done a factory reset, without luck. This makes me think that it is a hardware issue, even though I've never had the phone opened up, so I can't see how hardware could've been damaged. I've then tried to see if the NFC flex cable wasn't connected properly to the motherboard, and I made sure the screws connecting the flex cable to the motherboard were properly tightened - as most google searches recommended checking this. As you probably guessed, this also didn't work. Also, as far as I can understand, the QI wireless charging is built into the NFC antenna. But the wireless charging works fine (using a QI charger). Would this indicate that the problem is not with the NFC antenna? Is it possible that there is a loose connection elsewhere than the flex cable? What else can I do? Is it possible to replace the NFC antenna myself? Or is the problem elsewere? Edit: Added extra info