Layers

This sort of builds on Semaphoric’s good idea: The Properties panel may have sub-panels so that you can control the different components of a layer, so if what’s shown in the Properties panel is not what you expect for the selected layer, make sure the right sub-panel is selected.

In the demo below, there is a Curves adjustment layer that displays Curves properties as long as the Curves sub-panel is selected. But that adjustment layer also has a pixel mask, with a gradient on it, and a vector mask…three more components. So this adjustment layer happens to have a total of four sub-panels in the Properties panel, and you’re only going to see Curves properties if the Curves sub-panel is selected.

Photoshop Properties sub-panels.gif

In general, if the Properties panel doesn’t look right, double-check both which layer is selected, and which component of that layer is selected, such as a mask. In addition, in the demo you also see that there are gradient tools on the canvas, and that’s because on that adjustment layer, the pixel mask contains a gradient and the Gradient tool is selected. When I switch to the Move tool at the end of the demo, the Gradient tools no longer appear on the canvas. So pay attention to all document, layer, and tool states. 

It should be as simple as selecting/highlighting the adjustment layer in the layers panel.

Perhaps you have corrupt preferences that need resetting (play it safe and save out and backup your actions, brushes, patterns and other custom presets).