PE 2019 Glitch Using Smudge Tool

I am not proficient in PE but have been able to work through the steps I need to update my photos.  I photograph and edit photos of items to be posted for sale.  Most the items in the photo use the central part of the image and I would use the Smudge Tool to make the background look nice and close to the subject.  Took some time but worked great.  The Smudge Tool would be able to get close to the subject in order the make the background look clean.  Lately, the Smudge Tool does not produce an enlarged circle for dragging through the space to be edited.  I retains the shape and size of the icon (pointed finger).  The system would enable me to enlarge the size of the brush stroke using the size -- did not have to fiddle with the brush.  Now it is just doing a small dot and I have been able to work with it but it is not as quick as it was.  Something happened to change the functionality.  Probably something I did but can't find.  Would great appreciately some further information.  Also, while messing around with it, the Layers area was "damaged".  I would like to put that back the way it was.  I was going to try to reinstall the system but saw info saying that was not a good idea.  Alternatively, if the fix is difficult, I would be interested in buying a new copy.  Thanks for any information!