Not really sure why it is so difficult to renew. When I renewed 2 years ago I went through the ARRL and they did it for me. No problem at all.
I think it was through the VEC program. It was all completed over the telephone.
You must not have been paying attention to the recent changes.
2 years ago, there were no fees for US amateur licenses.
2 years ago, the old CORES system was still in operation.
2 years ago, all you had to renew was to go to the FCC website, log in to your FRN account, and do a few mouse clicks.
That's all changed now. If someone hasn't created a new account on the new CORES system, they have to do that. Then they have to link it to their FRN, Then they have to log in, pay the fee, and renew.
Different game today.