Selection Tool Won't Select Objects

[benb70957463]

Sorry, I'm sure this is the stupidest question ever. 

I think I've accidentally hit a keyboard shortcut, my Selection Tool is acting just like the Direct Selection Tool. I can't get it to select whole objects, in fact it doesn't really select anything. When the cursor comes near a line, it's accompanied by a rectangle with 8 dots on the perimeter and one dot in the centre. Or sometimes it has a small black rectangular dot next to the cursor. 

I don't think I'm in isolation mode

Please help, I can't use illustrator at all

Help!

[Monika Gause]

And what happens when you click on something?

[benb70957463]

I get a tiny, tiny"x" on the line and then nothing. 

[Kurt Gold]

You may check if the Bounding Box (and perhaps Edges) are turned off.

View menu: Show Bounding Box, Show Edges.

And perhaps you are in Outline Mode.

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @benb70957463,

Sorry to hear about the trouble you are facing. In addition to the steps suggested above, would you mind trying resetting Illustrator preferences (https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/kb/troubleshoot-preference-issues.html) as well?

Also, please confirm the exact version of OS & Illustrator and was this happening in a specific file or all?

We will be looking forward to your response.

Thanks & Regards,
Anshul Saini

[ricon_8642 · Accepted solution]

to setup SELECT option: you go to : EDIT / PREFERENCE / SELECTION & ANCHOR DISPLAY....

It will help you to use SELECTION tool easily