Using the USB ErrorInfo here, you may be able to track down if the camera is reporting any error.
https://api.ricoh/docs/theta-usb-api/property/error_info/
After rebooting the camera, can you check if there is a response. You may have to convert decimal to hex. For example, a decimal warning code of 16 would correspond to a hex code of 0x00000010, which is an error with the electronic compass, which shouldn’t impact the power off settings. However, just to be safe, if you have that error, try and recalibrate the compass using the figure 8 technique described in this forum.
You could also create a log file to dump additional information into the file for inspection.
https://api.ricoh/docs/theta-usb-api/property/battery_status/
https://api.ricoh/docs/theta-usb-api/property/auto_power_off_delay/
Are you using InitiateCapture or InitiateOpenCapture?