sharpening tool paints grey over pixels

All of a sudden, could have been after an update - or not - a tool I use with frequency has become unusable because instead of sharpening it seems to be painting grey onto the image.    Photoshop about says it is 24.6.0.   Someone suggested deleting preferences?  I haven't tried that yet.  Do I need to just download it again?   Thanks ahead of time for your assistance!  I do process a fair number of photographs and the sharpen tool is one I use on nearly every photo because I take photos of insects, birds, and plants where I have to enlarge a section of nearly every shot.  I am using Windows 11.