oh brother! another actuator / central locking post

[Russianblue]

I have delayed (probably 2 years now) asking for help on this to spare you guys, but wanted to pick your brains before buying a new actuator.

PRIMARY PROBLEM:
Front door actuator seems wonky...but not really.
When I finish driving the car and pull into my driveway or anywhere else, i get out of the car, I click the lock button, and all doors lock except the driver's door.
The driver's lock does not respond at all. No partial/weak movement at all.
But then, I click unlock on the remote, all doors unlock.
Then I click lock again, and all doors lock. including the driver's door. Swift and strong. no issue.

Of note...I had this same problem with the driver door years ago. Although this seems completely coincidental, I could have sworn I somehow lucked into a fix by disconnecting the window switch and turning on the car, operating the locks, then plugging the switch back in. That worked great for about 2-3 years. Then I was working on something else in that door like the carrier or something (I can't remember unfortunately). When I put everything back together, the problem reappeared. It's persisted for the past 2 years or so.

one SLIGHT hint: VERY occasionally, once every few months, the first pull of the double-pull on the driver's doesn't work. it's gets hung or something. I have to unlock with the key remote or center console button OR kinda 'massage' the pull...gently, gently, release, pull, release, pull and it will unlock the door. Next time I drive, no problem at all. That issue does not occur very often.

I don't look forward to changing the actuator but I'm not sure what additional troubleshooting to do. any advice is welcome. could it actually be the door handle CABLE causing this issue? or something else? What would you address first? i HATE taking off these freaking door panels and i've had to do all four of them multiple times!!