Debugging motor code Keil registers not updating when motor runs with J-link

I have motor code running on a STM32G431 MCU and am using Keil IDE with J-Link debugger. When the motor is stopped I can see timer registers updating and can inspect watch variables. I'm also have a simple uart command interface I use to start/stop the motor and read some variables.

When I start the motor the Keil IDE watch window stops updating. I have it set to periodic update under the View menu but nothing updates. I can still communicate over the uart interface but the J-link seems locked out. Is this a problem with priority level settings?

Also, if the motor code is already running I cannot connect with the J-link. I need to issue a command to stop the motor then I can connect the debugger and read registers or start the motor.

Any suggestions? ---- Right now I am very hampered in debugging the code under these conditions. I need some suggestions.

Adding info in edit:

1. I wrote a uart command to display a memory location of a variable I want to track. When the motor is running I see the value from the uart changing as expected but the debugger is displaying AAAAAAAA in almost all watch points and peripheral reg.
2. If I select the IDE Toolbox-->Update it does NOT perform a forced one time update. Everything stays AAAAAAAA.

Thanks,

BT