Adobe Illustrator Gradient Tool not Adjusting

Question

I am having trouble with the Gradient tool where it won't allow me to adjust the gradient. It no longer shows the normal gradient "stretch" handle as I click and hold my mouse to adjust the width and position of the gradients in Illustrator. I've worked in this for 18+ years, and this is a new issue. I may have accidentally hit a fast key to trigger some setting on the Gradient tool, but can't seem to figure out how to restore it so it works again as usual.

Basically, when I try to "adjust" the gradient by clicking and dragging in the angle and distance I want the gradient to run, it just shows a very compressed/short version of the gradient that goes from one color immediately to the next, no matter how long I try to make it expand to. I suspect this is some setting I may have triggered with an accidental fast key.

This is using Adobe Illustrator 2020 v 24.3 (most updated version of it).
I've restarted my iMac and reopened the file with the same results. Any ideas?

idellej · Accepted Answer

Could you please show how it works if you ungroup the expended LIve group and how it works if you select the circle inside the expanded Live group by Direct (or Group) Selection tool?

I figured it out, the circle shape was (for some reason) having issues (even after "expanding" or making it a compound shape), so, I made a new circle, and now the gradient tool works fine in the new circles. Go figure! Thanks everyone!

Scott25298240itwo · Answer

Make sure you have the fill component selected not the stroke as I have found that hides the slider.

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